What type of test result is minimized by selecting an HIV screening test with high sensitivity?

Selecting an HIV screening test with high sensitivity is crucial because high sensitivity reduces the risk of false negatives. Sensitivity refers to a test's ability to correctly identify individuals who are truly positive for the condition (in this case, HIV). When a test has high sensitivity, it means that it is effective at detecting the presence of the virus in individuals who are actually infected.

In the context of HIV screening, minimizing false negatives is particularly important because a false negative result could lead to a person believing they are HIV-negative, which may prevent them from seeking necessary medical treatment or taking appropriate precautions to avoid transmitting the virus to others. Therefore, a high-sensitivity test ensures that most individuals who are infected will receive a positive test result, thereby reducing the likelihood that an infection goes undetected.

The other types of test results like false positives, true negatives, and true positives are not directly minimized by focusing on sensitivity. While accuracy is important across all results, the characteristic of high sensitivity specifically addresses the issue of false negatives, which is crucial for effective public health management regarding HIV.