AIDS Coalition of Nova Scotia giving out free HIV test kits

Kits can be mailed out or picked up in-person at the organization’s offices on Spring Garden Road

CITYnews halifax \ Meghan Groff

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The AIDS Coalition of Nova Scotia (ACNS) is giving out free HIV test kits.

The coalition’s Shane Pope says the rapid self-tests are fairly new, having been approved by Health Canada in November of 2020.

“Basically you get your results within up to a minute, so they’re very fast. They’re meant to be done on people’s own terms and on their own time,” he told CityNews Halifax.

“They’re not confirmatory, they only test for HIV antibodies. But it gives you some sort of idea of what your status is in the moment.”

That means if it comes back positive, you’ll still need to confirm the results with a lab test. And if that’s positive, you’ll be referred to a specialist for further treatment.

“The HIV self test is meant to be another tool in people’s toolboxes … we’re really encouraging people to add this HIV self test to their toolbox that they can use while they’re waiting to get into see their doctor, or while they’re waiting to get an appointment for HIV testing,” Pope said.

Last fall, Nova Scotia Health reported an increase in newly diagnosed HIV cases.

It said usually our province sees between 15 and 20 new cases each year, but already had between 20 and 25 new cases by the end of August, 2022.

Pope said a lot of sexual health centres were forced to close during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, which made regular testing difficult.

In addition, there’s still a lot of stigma that comes with a positive result.

“As much as we want to believe it doesn’t exist anymore, it very much does. We see that when people come through our doors … the fear of having HIV and the fear of testing, so a lot of people choose not to get tested because they don’t want to know their results,” he explained.

“So we really want to start normalizing HIV testing for anyone and everyone.”

Pope added, people can take can’t start taking care of their health until they know their status.

Nova Scotians can contact the AIDS Coalition of Nova Scotia to get up to two test kits mailed to them for free.

Haligonians can also head to their offices at 5516 Spring Garden Road (the Sport Nova Scotia building) to pick up up to five kits in person.

Those taking the test will need to prick the top of their finger with a small needle to produce two to four small drops of blood.

Those who go to the Spring Garden Road location have the option to take the test at that site, where trained staff will be available to provide support and guidance.

Find out more information by clicking here, by calling 902-403-7169 or by emailing communitylinkns@gmail.com.