Background Since 2014, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada has seen an alarming rise in infectious syphilis and gonorrhea infections. Individuals from vulnerable communities with substance use, involvement with corrections, transactional sex, and inadequately housed are overrepresented among cases. The aim of this project was to increase access to sexually transmitted and blood borne infections (STBBI) testing and treatment among hard to reach populations in Edmonton.

Methods Outreach teams from the Edmonton STI clinic consisting of a registered nurse and community health representative or licensed practical nurse offered STBBI testing at subsidized housing locations, community based organizations, and through street outreach. Clients were offered testing and treatment for chlamydia (CT), gonorrhea (NG), syphilis, HIV, Hepatitis C. Clients received a $10 gift card for testing and a $10 gift card when returning for results and/or treatment.

Results From October 2018 to February 2019, 393 testing visits were completed among 342 individuals. Nearly two-thirds (61%; n=207) of individuals were men with a median age of 32 years. Women were younger with a median age of 20.4 years. Nearly 60% (57.9%; n=198) of individuals reported substance use with 19.0% (n=65) reporting injection drug use. Six percent (n=20) of individuals were involved in transactional sex. The positivity rate for CT was 9.5% (n=26) and 4.0% (n=11) for NG (273 tested). The positivity rate for HCV was 5.4% (n=15; 278 tested). The syphilis seropositivity rate was 10.8% (n=34; 315 tested). No new HIV cases were found. Eight-percent (n=31) of visits involved treatment for an ST

Conclusion Offering STBBI incentivized testing was effective in improving access to testing and treatment for hard to reach clients resulting in high positivity rates for STBBI. By offering testing and treatment to individuals linked to high transmission activities, we aim to reduce the burden of STBBI among vulnerable groups

Disclosure No significant relationships.