AEGiS-BKREV: The HIV Test: Who Should Take It? What Does It Show?

The HIV Test: Who Should Take It? What Does It Show?

Human Relations Media, 175 Tompkins Ave., Pleasantville, NY 10570. time, 25:30. Teacher's Guide. 26p. $189.00 for video and guide. (Contributors to this video: Marge Bell, C.A.S.; Carol Chirman, R.N.S.; Robert Klein, Albert Einstein College of Medicine; AIDS Related Community Services; People with AIDS, NY)
Produced by Peter Cochran, Anson Schloat, John Young, Karin Rhines (consultant). 1993.

This is an excellent video that describes the HIV test for antibodies of the virus that causes AIDS. Using computer animation, graphics, interviews, and personal accounts, it explains in plain language the sequence of the different tests, including an initial ELISA or SUDS HIV-1, and a Western Blot. The reasons for being tested are gone over and explained through the use of personal accounts. The host does a very good job at explaining and describing behaviors that do and do not put a person at risk of getting HIV; things that do put a person at risk; and details of how unprotected sex can transmit the virus. A counselor describes some of the reasons people seek testing and the kinds of questions people should ask when calling a testing place are presented. The need for counselling before and after testing is stressed.

All of this is done in a comfortable manner so that the message is presented without being boring with complex descriptions. The voice of the host is excellent and the people who are on screen as counselors and persons with the HIV virus, are well chosen to represent both the affluent and those who may not be as fortunate.

The Teacher's Guide is small booklet that parallels the video and then gives some additional information that can be presented in a classroom situation, including the evolving definitions of AIDS, false positives, mandatory testing, and Adolescents and HIV and AIDS. It concludes with some review questions plus suggestions for activities that can be used in high school and college classes. The guide ends with suggested readings, a small glossary, places to contact for more information, AIDS hotlines, and a listing of states that provide anonymous testing, counseling, or allow minors to consent to HIV/STD testing. This is one of the best videos covering HIV testing that this reviewer has seen. It is up-to-date, non-threatening, in a language for adolesencents as well as adults, and at just the right length to get the major points across concerning testing. Highly recommended for school, public, and academic libraries as well as clinics and testing centers. (H. Robert Malinowsky)

Keywords: HIV Test, Counselling

930730
BK930027

Copyright © 1993 - The University of Illinois at Chicago. All materials in the journal are subject to copyright by the Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois and may be reprinted or redistributed for the noncommercial purpose of scientific or educational advancement granted by Sections 107 and 108 of the Copyright Revision Act of 1976. For other reprinting, redistribution, or translation, address requests to H. Robert Malinowsky, University of Illinois at Chicago Library, PO Box 8198, Chicago, IL 60680 or electronically to hrm@uic.edu.

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