Family planning providers should be comfortable discussing HIV risk behaviors and testing, as well as offering and conducting HIV tests, and post-test counselling and referrals, especially in high HIV burden settings. In family planning settings, the most common HIV tests available will be the rapid HIV tests and HIV self-tests. Family planning providers should counsel on ALL available testing options and allow clients to choose the option they prefer.

Rapid HIV tests: Most clients will have a rapid test for HIV that uses a small amount of blood. If the test is negative, then the woman does not have HIV. If the test is positive, then the result must be confirmed with a different rapid test. It is important to follow the national HIV testing algorithm which will include multiple tests to diagnose HIV.

HIV self-testing (HIVST) kits: Some clients may prefer to test themselves using HIVST kits, either at the facility or at home. Some of these use blood and others use saliva. Since there may be false-positive test results with HIVST, all positive test results need to be confirmed at a clinic using rapid tests, according to the national HIV testing algorithm.