France – After Montpellier, Lille and Bordeaux, the Aid Association and the National Agency for Research on AIDS and viral hepatitis (ANRS) Paris to launch a new range of rapid HIV testing.

The project is designed for rapid screening tests (TDR) of AIDS. In thirty minutes after a sample of blood from the fingertip, the HIV status of the person is defined with the same reliability as traditional tests. These rapid tests can be performed by volunteers trained in the procedure in places such as local aid association.

The study concerns only the men having sexual relationships with other men. In alternative places in the medical environment (the local aid association), early detection is proposed after discussion with the volunteers of the association and filling a questionnaire anonymously.

If the result is negative, the participant must answer another questionnaire of satisfaction in the process. If the result of the test is positive, a psychological support and a follow-up on the tests of confirmation and the access to the medical care are offered by the team of Assistance in the long term.

The project aims to generalize the use of these tests, and increase the number of tests (30,000 people in France unaware of their HIV status). Another aspect of the project is research on the availability of screening and its impact on sexual behavior of individuals screened.

The study is being conducted over eighteen months which started in Montpellier in November 2008. Paris is the last city in question, after Lille and Bordeaux. The rapid tests are already used in many countries in North America and Europe.