Effectiveness of online HIV self-testing model

New approach – more proactive in HIV prevention

HIV self-testing is a form of testing that people can do at home using a test kit, especially the oral fluid test. The model is encouraged by the World Health Organization (WHO) and implemented by the Ministry of Health to expand access to HIV testing in a convenient and confidential way.

Currently, various HIV testing and counseling models are being implemented, including: Testing in medical facilities, HIV testing based on community organizations. In addition, social enterprises (SEs), community organizations (CBOs), peer educators, and collaborators also participate in providing HIV testing and counseling services and supporting ARV treatment connection for the community.

Effectiveness of online HIV self-testing model - Photo 1.

Illustration photo.

In 2022, the Department of HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control (now the Department of Disease Prevention) organized the provision of HIV self-testing kits via the website http://tuxetnghiem.vn in 35 provinces and cities so that people with HIV risk behaviors could self-test for HIV and be connected to confirm HIV infection.

The HIV self-testing model (using oral fluid test - Test Oral Quick) is a form of HIV testing for high-risk groups through an online system. With just a smartphone or a computer with an Internet connection, people can self-assess their risk of HIV infection and receive an HIV self-test accurately, conveniently, safely, with high confidentiality and completely free of charge.

High efficiency

Talking to the reporter of Health and Life Newspaper, Master, Doctor Tran Xuan Thanh, Head of the Department of HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control, Bac Ninh Center for Disease Control No. 1, said that in Bac Ninh, the online HIV testing model through the website "tuxetnghiem.vn" was deployed from June 2022 with support from the Global Fund for HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control Project. The model meets the urgency in the old Bac Giang (now Bac Ninh province) when in recent years, new HIV infections have increased rapidly in the MSM group - a population at high risk of HIV infection but difficult to access, and not ready to reveal their identity.

To effectively implement these activities, Bac Ninh Province Center for Disease Control No. 1 has assigned the HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control Department to develop a plan, assign staff to be the focal point for implementing the plan's contents; manage the website, manage test orders, promote HIV testing activities on online channels, package biological products, contact customers receiving HIV testing; assign staff to participate in consulting customers according to the schedule set on the website http://tuxetnghiem.vn. Community-based groups and organizations (CBOs) review and notify customers with behavior.

The Center for Disease Control actively coordinates with Health Centers to direct commune and ward health stations in the area to widely propagate this model so that people at risk of HIV infection can participate in risk assessment, receive free HIV testing and self-test at home.

In addition, Bac Ninh has organized direct propaganda to instruct online software on HIV testing at home for peer groups of drug addicts and men who have sex with men (MSM); organized seminars and meetings for officials participating in HIV/AIDS prevention and control in the province.

Effectiveness of online HIV self-testing model - Photo 2.

MSc. Dr. Tran Xuan Thanh, Head of HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control Department, Bac Ninh Center for Disease Control No. 1.

Thanks to the above synchronous activities, HIV/AIDS prevention work has achieved many good results. According to the report of Bac Ninh Center for Disease Control No. 1, from June 2022 to November 2025, the website tuxetnghiem.vn recorded 784 visits, of which 537 people successfully registered to receive HIV self-testing. Of which, 131 subjects were MSM, 97 subjects were female sex workers, 105 were drug addicts and the rest were other subjects. 110 customers submitted their self-test results to the system, of which 13 cases had reactions to HIV, 100% of customers with HIV reaction test results were connected to the HIV confirmation laboratory to continue testing according to the instructions of the Ministry of Health.

Since the beginning of 2025, 111 customers have successfully delivered and received self-testing tests. 3 customers who tested positive for HIV were connected to HIV confirmation testing and ARV treatment, and 15 customers were connected to HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP).

MSc. Dr. Tran Xuan Thanh, Head of the Department of HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control, Bac Ninh Center for Disease Control No. 1, said that despite many results, there are still some difficulties in implementing the model. Some customers at risk of HIV infection do not know how to register to participate on the website due to limited access to technology; Some customers are still hesitant and not interested in sharing self-test results or there are customers who register but provide incorrect phone number information, causing difficulties for medical staff in the process of approaching to be able to support connecting to post-test services.

In the coming time, CDC Bac Ninh will promote communication about the benefits and confidentiality of the online HIV self-testing system, encourage people to proactively participate, and provide accurate information to receive the fastest and most convenient support.

The goal of the model is not only to detect new HIV infections early, but also to help people access early treatment, improve their health and reduce the risk of infection in the community, contributing to the national goal of ending the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Vietnam by 2030.

Health and Life Newspaper In coordination with the Department of Disease Prevention (Ministry of Health), the ' National Press Award on HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control' was launched .

The National Press Award on HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control is an award organized by the Health & Life Newspaper in collaboration with the Department of Disease Prevention (Ministry of Health), to honor outstanding press works that truly reflect typical individuals and groups in all regions of the country in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

RULES OF THE "NATIONAL PRESS AWARD ON HIV/AIDS PREVENTION AND CONTROL" ARE AS FOLLOWS:

Article 1. Name of the Award

"National Press Award on HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control"

Article 2. Topics

Outstanding individuals and groups from all over the country in the fight against HIV/AIDS; vividly reflecting the efforts and contributions of groups and individuals in propaganda, prevention, care, treatment and support for people infected with HIV/AIDS and vulnerable groups; contributing to eliminating stigma and discrimination, spreading the spirit of humanity and community responsibility.

Article 3. Contestants

All Vietnamese citizens aged 18 and over, living in and outside the country. Members of the Organizing Committee, Jury, and Secretariat are not allowed to participate.

Article 4. Regulations on contest entries

1. Genre:

- Reportage, memoir, notes, portrait

- Photo: Reportage with at least 10 photos, telling a story through images on a topic related to HIV/AIDS.

- Television, multimedia: Television programs, documentaries on traditional platforms (TV) or electronic platforms, social networks.

2. Form of expression:

Entries can be in many different forms:

- In traditional form (article, video) In new form: Infographic, emagazine, megastory, longform... or combine many forms in one work to best convey the content, message and meaning of the work.

Note:

We do not accept works in the genre of news or regular events related to HIV/AIDS. All works must have a specific topic, be in-depth, have clear ideas and characters.

Do not use fictional characters; do not use special effects to change content or images; do not use artificial intelligence to create works.

3. Contest conditions of the work

- Eligible works must be published and broadcast from July 10, 2024 to November 20, 2025.

- For cases that have not been published or broadcast: The Organizing Committee will select to publish on the Health and Life Newspaper and the Newspaper's ecosystem.

- The Organizing Committee has the right to disqualify incomplete or non-compliant applications.

- The Organizing Committee will not return unqualified works.

4. Application documents

- Author/group information: Full name, pen name (if any), date of birth, gender.

- Contact information: Permanent address, phone number, email.

- Work unit (if any).

- Data to be submitted when participating in the contest:

+ Electronic newspaper: electronic newspaper link.

+ Television: Audio and video with script/narration.

+ Press photos: high resolution original image files, full captions.

- How to submit entries: submit your entry online via the website: https://giaibaochi2025.skds.vn

Article 5. Rights and responsibilities

1. Author

- Responsible for copyright, accuracy and legality of the work.

- Agree to let the Organizing Committee use the work for propaganda, exhibition, and publication (with the author's name clearly stated) in the media and press.

2. Organizing Committee

- Information security, public and transparent scoring and selection.

- Have the right to use the contest entry for communication purposes, not for commercial purposes.

Article 6. Time and address for receiving works

- Time of receipt: From the launch date to November 20, 2025 (calculated from the time of online submission).

- Receiving address: Send online via https://giaibaochi2025.skds.vn.

Article 7. Prize structure

- Award-winning works are divided into 3 groups, each group includes 4 award levels.

+ Written works

+ Group of photographic works

+ Television and multimedia group

- Total of 12 prizes, including: