Last month one of our volunteers agreed to write about the testing process at one of Calgary’s free STI clinics. Here is the second part in this first hand account of their testing experience. Click here to read the first part in this two part series.
Previously I had made many assumptions about the state of my sexual health; therefore, this was to be my very first testing experience, which had become quite unnerving. Also, I was confused about what getting an anonymous test meant; I was under the impression that an anonymous test hadn’t been conducted at the clinic in a while. How then, was my identity protected?
Despite my anxieties, I went to get tested. I was very nervous when I arrived at the clinic and it then came my turn. When the attending staff person offered me a document requesting much of my personal information, I asked if it was possible to receive an anonymous test. The staff member openly told me that I could simply use a fake name, and birth date; my identity would still be anonymous there. To be clear, here are the different types of tests:
NOMINAL TEST
These tests are usually preformed by Family Doctors or Walk-In clinics. Full details of your name, birthdate and personal health number are required. If your results are found positive then your name is submitted to Public Health.
ANONYMOUS TEST
The term anonymous test is only used when absolutely no name has been provided, in which case you will receive a number on a card to get your test results. However, if you lose your card, you won’t be able to obtain your results. If you do test positive under an anonymous test, your results remain anonymous. You are then referred to the Southern Alberta Clinic, in which case your personal health number and name will be required to access treatment, you can of course refuse to provide this information and refuse treatment, but it is important to remember that your personal information will still be requested.
NON – NOMINAL TEST
This is the most commonly requested test, and the one I opted for. The service provider may know identifying information about you but the test is ordered using a code number or by initials. By providing an alias my identity would still be confidential, my personal health number isn’t required, and I would also be referred to the Southern Alberta Clinic for treatment; again at this point however, my personal health number and name would be required.
As remembering a fake name can be often be confusing, the nurse also suggested that it may be helpful for me to provide my real date of birth, in case I forgot alias at the time of my results.
After a brief wait, I was escorted to an examination room where the nurse began asking me questions about my medical and sexual history, including which gender I engaged in sexual activities with, whether I had ever been tested before, and my reason for being tested. Although these questions made me feel a bit uncomfortable at the time, I quickly realized that it was important to be as honest as possible. By answering honestly I am actually helping our health care providers collect the most accurate information about HIV and STIs in our community; these answers contribute to painting the larger picture of who is most at risk in our community and why. Asking these questions also presents a way for the attending nurse or clinic staff person to open the conversation regarding any sexual health related questions or concerns I might have.
The nurse then proceeded to review the full physical examination process with me, which included an HIV blood test. After my examination and blood test I would need to return one week later to obtain my results.
While the week passed, I began to feel anxious waiting for the clinic to contact me. When it was finally time to hear my results, I returned to the clinic and the attending nurse calmly explained in a private room, that if any of my test results did in fact come back positive, I would be provided medications and follow up exams directly through the clinic. Regardless of my test results it was comforting to know that I was in a place that would be able to assist me.
So what did I learn?
I learned that it is completely natural to feel nervous about this process, and the clinic helped me to feel comfortable during my testing experience. Despite my anxieties, getting tested has given me a sense of empowerment and personal control over my sexual health, which ultimately was well worth it.
For more information about testing click here.
For more information about anonymous testing click here.
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