Doctor looks to reduce HIV-testing stigma

published on September 10, 2013 in The Prince George Citizen

Getting tested for HIV could soon become a routine procedure at the University Hospital of Northern B.C.

Infectious disease specialist Dr. Abu Hamour wants to see HIV testing become an opt-out procedure offered to all patients when they visit the hospital. Approximately 250 patients in the Prince George area are currently HIV positive but the actual number of people with the infection is believed to be higher.

Once implemented, patients will routinely be offered a chance to have an HIV test whenever they visit an acute care facility, with the aim of finding more of the estimated 25 per cent to 30 per cent of cases that go undiagnosed.

"When we make a test an opt-out test, it reduces the stigma," Hamour said. "People know that they're not being singled out."

The opt-out HIV testing process has been used for pregnant woman for years and Hamour said most agree to the test. Some hospitals in the Lower Mainland recently adopted an opt-out policy for all patients and were surprised to find some people testing positive for the infection, despite not fitting the typical high-risk groups.

Peter James
The Prince George Citizen
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© Copyright BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS
St. Paul's Hospital 608–1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC, Canada V6Z 1Y6
Tel: 604-806-8477 | Fax: 604-806-9044
General inquiries: info@bccfe.ca
Media inquiries: communications@bccfe.ca
(Please do not use any of these email addresses to send personal information or book an appointment. To book appointments or contact the H2H clinic, please call 604-416-1517 or fax: 604-564-4893. Do not send your or your client's personal information via email.)

Our work serves clients and communities across British Columbia on lands and waters cared for and nurtured by the many distinct First Nations across the province. The BC-CfE humbly and gratefully acknowledge the stewards of these lands, particularly the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səl̓ílwətaʔ (Tsleil-Waututh) on whose unceded, traditional and ancestral territories our offices are located.