Grant: Project Grant - Priority Announcement: HIV/AIDS and STBBI

The COVID-19 pandemic has created disruptions in the healthcare delivery system with longer waiting times for appointments and to access treatment. Self-sampling conducted privately has been shown to be more comfortable for patients and has similar accuracy as conventional testing. Self-sampling can be combined with connected technologies (e.g., in-App instructions) to increase confidence in sample collection. Combined with current molecular diagnostic platforms, self-samples can be analyzed directly, more rapidly, and at lower cost at the site where they were obtained, than if they had to be sent to a laboratory. In Canada, specific key populations, such as but not limited to migrant, refugees, or trans and gender diverse people, are at risk of living with undetected infections. Stigma and discrimination impact their engagement with the healthcare system. iSampleSmart!, a connected self-sampling molecular strategy, brings key populations into care by detecting new infections so that they can access treatment rapidly. We will also determine whether iSampleSmart! is as accurate and preferred by patients as conventional testing. We will offer iSampleSmart! to key populations accessing community-based clinics where they will have access to a private bathroom to self-sample, guided by an App and a peer should they need it. Their sample will then be analyzed by a molecular diagnostic platform on site, and they will receive their results and prescription within the same day. We expect iSampleSmart! to increase access to testing and treatment for key populations who might not feel comfortable in conventional healthcare settings. Our results will guide larger connected self-sampling studies worldwide.