Incorporation and Evaluation of Equity Principles in Pharmacy Provided Sexual Health Services.

Abstract

Rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) have increased over the past ten years in Canada and are disproportionately impacting underserved, stigmatized, and racialized populations. Although screening, prevention, and treatment services exist for STIs, these may not be accessible to underserved populations due to a variety of reasons, including historical trauma, systemic oppression, and service availability in all geographical regions. A potential solution to addressing service accessibility may be through service provision by community pharmacists. Pharmacists are ideally located within the communities that they serve and may offer increased points of contact with these patients for STI services and other linkages to care.

This thesis aims to further our understanding of how pharmacy practice and services can be leveraged to improve equitable access of STI healthcare services to underserved, stigmatized, and racialized populations.