Reaching HIV Undiagnosed: Evaluation of Interactive Dispensing Systems for Low-Barrier Access to Rapid HIV Testing and Harm Reduction Supplies Across Canada

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are investigating the use of smart interactive vending machines called Our Healthbox to improve access to HIV self-testing and harm reduction supplies for people in Canada who face barriers to healthcare. This program aims to reach individuals who are undiagnosed with HIV, including key populations such as gay and bisexual men, African, Caribbean and Black communities, people who use substances, and Indigenous peoples. The study is led by REACH Nexus at St. Michael's Hospital and seeks to connect marginalized groups to testing, treatment, care, and prevention services. The intervention involves placing 25-30 smart vending machines across Canada in the first year, with plans to expand to 100 machines over three years. These machines dispense free HIV self-test kits, harm reduction supplies like sterile drug use kits and naloxone, and other community-requested items such as masks and rapid COVID-19 tests. To receive most products, participants provide consent, create a user profile, and answer demographic questions anonymously through the machine. The vending machines also offer health information and a directory to local community-based services. Participants self-recruit at machine locations and return visits involve signing in and completing surveys to collect data anonymously. Researchers will evaluate if the program successfully reaches undiagnosed individuals, first-time testers, and provides access to harm reduction supplies over 36 months. The study includes monitoring connection to care and prevention services. All products are free, and privacy and confidentiality are maintained throughout. The total participation duration can span up to three years as the program scales nationally.

Our Healthbox - Evaluating Interactive Dispensing Systems for Low-Barrier Access to HIV Testing and Harm Reduction.