ArticlePloS one2024
Community pharmacies: Key players in point-of-care diagnostics for STI screening in Africa.
Article in PloS one, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 6 papers.
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Who cites it
6 citing papers in PubMed.
- A modified pharmacy provider-led delivery model of oral HIV pre- and post-exposure prophylaxis in Kenya: a pilot study extension.Journal of the International AIDS Society · 2025Trial
- Effectiveness of pharmacy-based HIV pre- and post-exposure prophylaxis delivery: a cluster-randomized trial in Kenya.medRxiv : the preprint server for health sciences · 2026Article
- Client and Health Care Provider Perspectives on Point-of-Care Testing for Sexually Transmitted Infections in Community Pharmacies in Uganda.medRxiv : the preprint server for health sciences · 2026Article
- Prevalence and correlates of prevalent sexually transmitted infections among young women employed as domestic workers in Central Uganda: a community-based cross-sectional study.BMJ public health · 2026Article
- Emerging Trends in Point-of-Care Technology Development for Oncology in Low- and Middle-Income Countries.JCO global oncology · 2025Review
- Community pharmacy-led point-of-care testing (POCT): expanding roles and strengthening health systems in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).Journal of pharmaceutical policy and practice · 2025Article
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10 authors.
Funding
Abstract
backgroundSexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) rank in the top 5 disease categories for which adults in developing countries seek healthcare services. Community pharmacies offer clients convenience, proximity, extended opening hours, privacy, and efficiency, which could make them desirable locations for HIV and STI screening and treatment. We examined the feasibility of using point-of-care (POC) STI tests for screening HIV and other STIs at community pharmacies.
methodsWe conducted a prospective cohort study of persons seeking medication and other services at 18 purposively selected community pharmacies in Kampala, Uganda. Study participants comprised two broad categories: i) Symptomatic persons aged 18 years who presented with at least one STI sign or symptom and were purchasing treatment for themselves; ii) persons presenting with no STI symptom who had come to purchase any other medication, including family planning services such as emergency contraception. POC tests were used to test HIV, Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct), Neisseria gonorrhoeae (Ng), Trichomonas vaginalis (Tv), and Syphilis. Test results were returned on-site or via telephone within 48 to 72 hours. Descriptive statistics were used to estimate the prevalence of STIs.
resultsOf the 450 participants enrolled, 235 (52.2%) were symptomatic, 215 (47.8%) were asymptomatic, and 280 (62.2%) were females. STI testing was feasible, with an acceptability rate of 99.8%. 135 (30%) of participants had at least one STI; HIV prevalence was 39 (8.7%), Syphilis prevalence was 14 (3.1%), 50 (11.1%) tested positive for Ng, 39 (8.7%) were positive for Ct while. The prevalence of Tv was 25 (8.9%) (tested among women). A total of 107 (23.8%) participants had used an antibiotic in the preceding month.
conclusionOur research underscores the potentially pivotal role of community pharmacies in deploying POC diagnostics for STIs and antimicrobial stewardship by decreasing unnecessary antibiotic dispensation across Africa.
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