HIV and STI testing among Indigenous women and women who inject drugs

Key take-home messages

• Rates of HIV and other sexually transmitted and bloodborne infections are high among Indigenous women and women who inject drugs.
• For women who use drugs, centres that provide treatment, services and programs for people with substance use issues have been identified as good sites for HIV and HCV testing and counselling to take place.
• Among Indigenous women, there is evidence to support using clinical reminders to promote chlamydia testing.
• “Ideal” HIV testing environments for Indigenous women should promote confidentiality, be harm reduction-focused and include Elders throughout the testing process.

• Population(s)
  • Women
  • People who use drugs
  • Indigenous communities
  • General HIV+ population
  • General HIV- population
• Prevention
  • Drug use behaviours/harm reduction
• Testing
  • Testing