DURHAM, N.C., Jan. 30 (UPI) -- A Duke University study in Tanzania says offering free HIV tests is more cost-effective in preventing HIV infections than charging a fee for the tests.
Free tests also helped draw three times as many people for testing, said the study.
The Duke researchers provided free HIV tests and counseling during a 2-week pilot program in 2003. The number of people seeking tests increased from 4.1 per day before the free testing interval to 15 per day during the pilot program.
However, the number decreased to 7.1 people after a small fee of about 95 U.S. cents was reinstated.
The study said when four people per day were tested, it cost $170 to avert an HIV infection. But when the testing rate jumped to 15 people per day, the price of preventing an HIV infection dropped to $92 even without the revenue from fees. The cost included staff salaries, laboratory supplies and test kits, utilities and office supplies.
The results appear in the January 2006 issue of the American Journal of Public Health.
