Anonymous Testing

Anonymous testing is the process of requesting an HIV test without providing any personal identifying information. The person administering the test cannot collect information such as your name, gender, age, ethnicity, or risk activities. A person requesting an anonymous test is simply given a code to be used to access test results. In order for testing to be truly anonymous, the person being tested cannot know the testing provider or have a medical record or chart with them.

There are a few key benefits to anonymous testing.

1. Anonymous testing can encourage a person to get tested sooner (1) which can lead to earlier access to necessary health care and medications.

2. Anonymous testing ensures that there is no record kept that says you have had an HIV test. For people worried about potential stigma and discrimination related to issues like employment or insurance this can be a great benefit.

3. Anonymous testing encourages individuals to be more open with the testing provider during pre-test counseling. The guarantee of anonymity can lead people to be more forthcoming about their HIV risk related activities. This allows for a unique opportunity to create a relationship with a health care provider where the provider then has the opportunity to educate on risk reduction techniques and harm reduction strategies.

4. Anonymous testing is an effective method of testing where “the vast majority of people who test anonymously do return to learn their test results."2

In Canada, HIV is notifiable and if a positive HIV test result comes back from an anonymous test, that person would be encouraged to supply some information, primarily for statistical and partner notification purposes. However, in Alberta you can opt to do your own partner notification if you have a communicable/reportable illness.

Access to anonymous testing is not universal in Canada. Eight provinces offer anonymous testing including: British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador.3 In Calgary, particularly, anonymous testing is a challenge. We have only one provider that advertises anonymous testing and the hours of that testing availability are limited.

All people have a basic right to access an HIV test. Not providing access to anonymous testing is a human rights violation. To not provide anonymous testing can also deny a persons right to access health care. AIDS Calgary, in addition to organizations such as The Canadian AIDS Society and The Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network believe it is a required testing standard to ensure that people have access to anonymous testing.

There are many individuals who are concerned that by providing anonymous testing you are putting the public at risk. However, if an anonymous test is the only way someone is going to be tested, this should be a viable testing option. Evidence suggests that people who are diagnosed with HIV make significant changes in their behaviors that reduce the risks of HIV transmission.4 Knowing your HIV status is much better than not knowing it, even if that means providing the HIV test anonymously.


1. Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network (2007) Anonymous HIV Testing. http://www.aidslaw.ca/publications/interfaces/downloadFile.php?ref=1076 Retrieved January 2009
2. Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network (2007) Anonymous HIV Testing. http://www.aidslaw.ca/publications/interfaces/downloadFile.php?ref=1076 Retrieved January 2009
3. Public Health Agency of Canada (1998) A Guide to HIV/AIDS Epidemiological and Surveillance Terms. http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/publicat/haest-tesvs/faq-eng.php Retrieved January 2009
4. Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network (2007) Anonymous HIV Testing. http://www.aidslaw.ca/publications/interfaces/downloadFile.php?ref=1076 Retrieved January 2009