The most common type of dipstick tests are urine dipsticks. These can be used in your doctor's office to test for protein and other substances in urine. Home pregnancy tests that require urine are another type of common dipstick test; this one detects a hormone in the urine.
Not as common, but often used in circumstances where laboratory tests are unavailable, certain kinds of dipstick tests may determine the presence of an antibody or a protein that may help diagnose a certain disease or condition, such as plague. There are many types of dipstick tests including a rapid HIV test in blood and a rapid malaria test that also uses whole blood. These tests are quick as well as easy to carry out and transport. Sometimes, however, the tests are damaged at high outside temperatures, so they are not always useful in warm weather countries.
Dipstick tests are generally not as accurate as other laboratory diagnostic tests, so results need to be confirmed by other methods recommended by your doctor.