Epicentre Aids Risk Management in Parkview invites participants to participate in study
Participants 18 years or older can be tested for respiratory infections for free while they help Epicentre Aids Risk Management in Parkview with validation of testing kits.
In efforts to improve the quality of health services, Epicentre Aids Risk Management in Parkview is conducting a series of research studies.
The director at the centre David Khanyile invited locals to participate in the studies at their three branches in Parkview, Cape Town and KwaZulu-Natal.
Founded in 2001, the centre has focused mainly on HIV/Aids interventions but with the advent of Covid-19, the centre also became involved in Covid-19 testing, interventions and research.
Both rapid Covid-19 testing (antigen testing) and antibody testing are conducted at the centre. Khanyile highlighted that there was now less need for antibody testing as most people have antibodies either because of a previous infection or vaccination.
Khanyile said, “We are currently doing a study where we are looking at some of the kits that may help in the reduction of the time frame in terms of people getting their [Covid-19] results quicker for polymerase chain reaction [PCR]. Currently, the shortest [time] for getting PCR results is four hours. We are looking at reducing the timeframe to about 45 minutes.
“We are encouraging people locally to assist us. People will have an opportunity to test for free. They get the PCR test which we do with our reference laboratories in these three branches. Participants will then, at the same time, contribute to the validation of the testing kits that will help with improvement in terms of testing in the country.”
He added the other study they were involved in was Cough Check which they were conducting in partnership with the National Institute for Communicable Disease (NICD). This study links with the NICD’s national surveillance on respiratory infections which are flu, Covid-19 and respiratory syncytial virus.
Khanyile said the advantage of Cough Check, besides it being free, was that an individual was tested for the three above-mentioned infections in one go. “To top it all, we come to you for your convenience and we also help people to learn how to test because we give them a guide that will help them understand how to self-collect the swab and then they do it themselves.”
He said after the self-testing, the centre staff then collect the samples from the participants and take them to the lab. They mainly work within a 30km radius from their centres and where necessary may extend to 50km.
“One of the greater limitations in a South African context is access to health, especially in resource-constrained areas, rural areas where people may not be able to get to facilities with ease. So this will help those that cannot reach facilities due to financial or time constraints.”
Participants should be 18 years or older and some may be required to be symptomatic to participate.
Details: Epicentre Aids Risk Management is located on 67 Dundalk Avenue, Parkview; 082 065 2172.
Filler: Share your thoughts on Twitter @RK_Gazette
Related articles:
