Barriers and Enablers to Point-Of-Care HCV Testing in a Needle and Syringe Program in Canada

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a significant global health burden, particularly among people who inject drugs. Rapid point-of-care HCV testing has emerged as a promising approach to improve HCV detection and linkage to care in harm reduction organizations such as needle and syringe programs.

A study, published in the International Journal for Equity in Health, used an intersectionality lens to explore the barriers and enablers to point-of-care HCV testing in a needle and syringe program in Montreal, Canada. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with clients (people who inject drugs) and service providers in a large community organization focused on the prevention of sexually transmitted and blood borne infections and harm reduction.