Client, health care provider, and policymaker perspectives on point-of-care/near-point-of-care testing for sexually transmitted infections in community pharmacies in Uganda

Introduction

Point-of-care or near-point-of-care (POC/near-POC) tests for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are often unavailable and unaffordable in low-resource settings, despite the World Health Organization's (WHO) recommendation that such testing be offered, leading to empiric treatment. Private community pharmacies (CPs) are often the first point of contact for people with symptoms of STIs, where pharmacists dispense treatment without diagnostic testing or prescriptions. This study evaluated clients,' providers,' and policymakers' perspectives on POC/near-POC STI testing in community pharmacies for targeted management.