Evaluation of the Sensitivity and Specificity of three Rapid Test Kits Used in the Detection of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (Hiv) in Public Hospital Niger State, Nigeria

Purpose: The assessment of HIV rapid test kits commonly used was evaluated for optimum performance on the suspected patient. This study aims to determine the sensitivity and specificity of rapid test kits used in public hospitals in Minna, Niger State. Methods: A total of 300 gold positive and gold negative samples were analyzed. Three rapid test kits (Determine, Stat-Pak, and Uni-Gold) were tested against gold standard serum using the method provided by the manufacturers of these kits. Results: Determine kit gave result sensitivity of (100%), specificity (96.5%), while Stat-Pak sensitivity was (99%), specificity (98%) and Uni-Gold sensitivity (100%), specificity (99%). In all Uni-Gold has the highest performance followed by Stat-Pak and lastly, Determine, but the differences were not statistically significant (p>0.05). Conclusion: This evaluation provides evidence for reliable rapid test kits for HIV testing in Nigeria. However, the claim by the manufacturers that their kit was 100% sensitive and 100% specific remains doubtful which may be a market strategy. Therefore, it is pertinent on a routine basis to evaluate the rapid test kits in circulation to re-validate their performance before usage for accurate HIV testing.