Kenyans who suspect they have sexually transmitted diseases ( STDs) can now order for tests anonymously and quickly through the internet or mobile phones to protect their privacy.
The new initiative, unveiled by Pathologists Lancet Kenya, comes amid recent research data revealing that lack of sufficient privacy in sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing clinics was one of the major barriers against uptake of STD tests in the country.
In addition, many Kenyans, especially the youth, often contract STDs during the December holidays, but privacy concerns impact negatively on the decision to seek testing and treatment.
Now Kenyans will be able to request the full range of STD tests, including gonorrhea, syphilis, herpes and HIV by booking anonymously through the internet or telephone without sharing their names or going to the clinic.
Blood and urine samples are then collected from any location in the country where the client is most comfortable with, usually away from the eyes of family members, friends, work colleagues or people familiar to them.
Alternatively, kits for collecting samples can be dispatched to the clients in sealed packages through courier and returned to the lab for testing. Once the results are ready, the client is notified to access them through a special, secure and restricted web portal.
No comments:
Post a Comment