Pharmacist-led screening in sexually transmitted infections: current perspectives

Area of Science:

• Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences
• Public Health
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) pose a growing global health challenge, often remaining asymptomatic and necessitating effective screening strategies.
• Community pharmacies offer a accessible platform for confidential STI screening using convenient sample collection methods.
• This study investigates the global prevalence of common STIs and the role of pharmacists in screening interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify the most common STIs globally.
• To investigate the current and potential role of community pharmacists in providing STI screening services.
• To evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of pharmacy-based STI screening.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review of common STIs globally.
• Analysis of current and potential pharmacy-based STI screening interventions.
• Evaluation of sample collection techniques and associated risks/benefits.

Main Results:

• Pharmacy-based chlamydia screening is well-supported by evidence and accepted by consumers and pharmacists.
• Emerging evidence supports pharmacy screening for gonorrhea, hepatitis B virus (HBV), and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
• Further research is needed for gonorrhea sample collection, HBV self-sampling, HIV consultation efficiency, and syphilis, trichomoniasis, and HSV screening.

Conclusions:

• Pharmacists are strategically positioned to deliver STI screening services.
• Financial, safety, and confidentiality barriers must be addressed for successful implementation.
• Expanded pharmacy-based STI screening can improve public health outcomes.