Back to: HIV Stigma Workshop Kit
HIV testing is the only way to know your status and connect to care if needed. In Canada, testing is available in several ways: traditional lab testing, where a blood sample is sent to a lab for confirmation; point-of-care (rapid) testing, which gives results within minutes at a clinic or community site; and self-testing, where you can take a test privately at home. All positive results from point-of-care or self-tests are confirmed by a lab test to ensure accuracy. Regular testing is an important part of HIV prevention, treatment, and care.
In smaller urban, rural, and remote communities, HIV testing can be harder to access due to fewer services, travel distance, concerns about privacy, and stigma. These factors mean people may not be offered testing regularly or may delay testing, even when it would be beneficial.
What literature consistently shows is the issue is not just availability of testing but also the fit of testing models in relation to the geographical location; the setting. There is a theme pointing towards mobile testing, peer-led approaches, and integration of testing into harm reduction services.
EXPLORE MORE
HIV Testing Guidelines (Government of BC)
HIV Factsheet: Screening and Testing (Government of Canada)
The HIV Testing Process (CATIE)
HIV and hepatitis C Testing Technologies Summary (PAN)
Point of Care Testing Resources:
BC Point of Care HIV Testing Program (BCCDC)
Self-Testing Resources:
Get Checked Online (BCCDC)
Implementing HIV Self-Testing (CATIE)
Self-test kit distribution (CATIE)
Our Healthbox (REACH Nexus)
I AM Initiative (inter-organizational)
You can contact your local health authority to find a local PrEP provider:
- Vancouver Coastal Health: 604-838-1331.
- Island Health: 250-388-2225 or 1-866-665-6626.
- Interior Health: 1-866-778-7736.
- Northern Health: 1-888-645-6495 or through TelePrEP at 604-707-5600.
- Fraser Health: 604-476-7087.
- Freddie: An online service that can facilitate free, private PrEP prescriptions for those with private insurance in BC. Note that patients with only public MSP coverage must go through the BC-CfE system, not Freddie.
- BCCDC TelePrEP: A virtual service specifically for Northern Health residents.