Grant: Project Grant

Sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections such as HIV, hepatitis C and syphilis continue to be significant public health challenges in Canada and worldwide. As outlined in the World Health Organization's Global Health Strategy, timely diagnosis and treatment are essential for reducing transmission and improving health outcomes. However, traditional laboratory-based testing often creates delays in receiving results, leading to missed opportunities for early intervention, particularly in underserved communities. Point-of-care testing offers a faster and more accessible alternative by enabling rapid diagnosis in community settings, clinics, and remote locations. Despite its potential, the widespread adoption of point-of-care testing faces barriers, including regulatory challenges, financial constraints, lack of infrastructure, and logistical issues related to supply chains and workforce training. This project aims to consolidate and synthesize evidence to support the successful implementation of point-of-care testing for sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections (HIV, hepatitis B and C, chlamydia, gonorrhoea, HPV, syphilis and trichomoniasis). We will conduct a systematic review to consolidate the evidence on the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of point-of-care testing in improving testing rates, linkage to care, and treatment. Additionally, using implementation science, we will conduct two systematic reviews on the barriers and facilitators that influence the adoption and sustainability of point-of-care testing and assess the impact implementation strategies designed to enhance its uptake. We will also develop an implementation framework tailored to the Canadian healthcare context and a suite of practical implementation tools to support point-of-care testing. This project will consolidate evidence and generate tools that can help Canada meet its national elimination goals for sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections.