People of Black African ethnicity are one of the groups disproportionately affected by HIV in England, according to surveillance data from the UK Health Security Agency. An estimated 1600 people of Black African ethnicity are estimated to be living with undiagnosed HIV in England, making up 34% of the estimated total of 4700 people. This is disproportionate when considering that people of Black African ethnicity made up less than 3% of the UK population in the most recent census.
To help address this, during National HIV Testing Week, HIV organisations are working together to make HIV testing easier to access – including by making it possible to pick up free tests in barbershops and hair salons. The organisations involved are the African Institute for Social Development (AISD) in Nottingham, Yorkshire Mesmac in Leeds, the African Advocacy Foundation in London, and Terrence Higgins Trust, which are co-ordinating the national campaign.
Why barbershops and hair salons?
It is well documented that barbershops and hair salons are pivotal in Black communities as hubs where people share stories and discuss issues affecting their communities. HIV Preventions England’s partner organisations piloted this initiative during National HIV Testing Week 2024, and it was successful at opening up conversations about HIV amongst individuals who had not recently considered getting tested for HIV.
Following the successes of the COVID-19 vaccination programme, initiatives to educate people about other health conditions via barbershops and hair salons have been expanding. Hypertension testing is also being implemented in barbershops in various parts of the country.
By raising the issue of HIV testing in barbershops and hair salons, we facilitate conversations that might not usually happen as there is vast evidence that people in the community tend not to talk about it because of the stigma of HIV.
Juddy Otti of the Africa Advocacy Foundation said,
“Providing testing in Black community barbershops and hair salons is crucial because these spaces are more than just places for grooming—they are trusted cultural hubs where real conversations happen. By bringing health screening services into these familiar environments, we break down barriers to access, encourage early diagnosis , and empower communities to take ownership of their well-being.”
Amdani Juma of the AISD, added that:
“Community barbershops in Nottingham City and surrounding areas have been part of HIV and sexual health prevention work for more than decade. They are trusted by their regular customers and most people discuss freely about sex, politics and football matches in barbershops. People can be as loud as they wish to and most of the time people exchange views and opinions without fear of being judged. People find barbershops liberating that’s why we have been successful in introducing National HIV Testing Week. “
HIV self-testing kits
HIV self-testing kits provide results that the individual can read without sending them to a lab for analysis. For this initiative, people will be given the option of using either a finger prick test or an oral swab test. The finger prick test will give a result in 15 minutes, and the oral swab test will provide a result in 20 minutes.
During National HIV Testing Week, anyone in England can also order a free HIV test, which they can do at home via freetesting.hiv. The test arrives in plain packaging, and testing for HIV is free, easy, quick and confidential.
This project is supported by Newfoundland Diagnostics and Invitech Ltd, the licensed distributors of OraQuick HIV tests in the UK.