Saskatchewan's rates of HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis C infections are among the highest in Canada. In response, Dr. Andrew Eaton, associate professor in the University of Regina's Faculty of Social Work, and Shiny Mary Varghese, executive director of AIDS Programs South Saskatchewan, Inc. (APSS) are spearheading an innovative research initiative that maps the locations of discarded needles then delivers pop-up health interventions to those spots. The community-based project is called 3 Infections, 1 Fight: A Community Response.
"This is a bold, first-of-its-kind initiative in Canada to address the alarming rates of HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis C in Saskatchewan," says Varghese. "Designed to reach vulnerable populations, the project offers a bold, community-driven approach to the public health crises bringing essential education, testing, care and prevention services to those who need it the most."
The partnership between the U of R and APSS combines community needle reporting, geo-mapping, pop-up testing, and education events to improve access to care and raise awareness about prevention.
"This is a community-driven approach developed by and for people who use drugs to reduce HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis C infections that meet people where they are and focuses resources where they can have the greatest impact," says Eaton, who leads the project.
In addition to mapping where needles are being discarded, Eaton has also developed a resource that identifies local not-for-profits and public organizations in Regina's north central and downtown neighbourhoods that people who use drugs have identified as trusted, safe spaces. This map, created for and distributed by the community, will help connect people to client-centered, non-judgmental supports for sexual health and drug use.
Thanks to funding from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and the Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation (SHRF), the team is also hosting a series of pop-up events in community spaces that include parks, parking lots, and many of the organizations featured on the map. Copies of the community resource map will be shared at each event.
"These events will offer HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis C point-of-care testing, along with education on safer sex and safer drug use. First-dose syphilis treatment will also be provided on-site, along with direct connections to follow-up care," says Eaton.
The research team includes people with lived experience of HIV, syphilis, hepatitis C, substance use, and addiction, alongside health professionals and researchers. The goal is to test whether this rapid-response, community-based model is a feasible and effective way to reduce HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis C rates in Saskatchewan and, potentially, across Canada.
"This is the first initiative of its kind in Canada," says Eaton. "We hope it becomes part of a sustained, community-driven approach to addressing these public health concerns."
