Giving Compass' Take:

• Kate Ryan reports that Slide Safe is delivering HIV test kits directly to sexually active adults to increase testing rates, which are low thanks to social stigma. 

• How can funders support local, culturally sensitive approaches like this one to increase their impact? 

• Learn why the world is at risk of losing control of the HIV epidemic. 

In Nigeria, deeply embedded cultural fears and stigmas have largely prevented health advocates from educating the population on sexual health concerns. The prevalence of HIV/AIDS and the limited number of people getting tested only exacerbates this problem.

The health startup Slide Safe thought to deliver testing kits straight to sexually active adults. Florida Uzoaru wanted to address her home country’s escalating HIV problem in a way that made women, in particular, feel comfortable and safe. With Slide Safe’s take-home kits, consumers can test themselves for HIV, hepatitis B, and syphilis in the privacy of their own homes.

Revealing just how much fear surrounds the topic of safe sexual practices, several hotels have refused to carry Safe Slide kits, and a few of Uzoaru’s family members expressed regret, according to NewsDeeply.

Read the full article about Slide Safe by Kate Ryan at GOOD Magazine.