Results at a glance - Evaluation of Viral Hepatitis and Sexually Transmitted Infection Activities at the Public Health Agency of Canada 2013-14 to 2017-18

Introduction

• This evaluation focuses on the Public Health Agency of Canada’s (PHAC) activities as they relate to viral hepatitis and sexually transmitted infections (STI).
• The expected results of PHAC’s activities to prevent and control viral hepatitis and other STI are: 1) increasing knowledge as it relates to viral hepatitis and STI; 2) strengthening skills to prevent and control viral hepatitis and STI; 3) improving application of knowledge; and 4) increasing uptake of healthier personal behaviours.
• Over the 2013-14 to 2017-18 period, the expenditures for these activities were approximately $56.4 million.

What the evaluation found

• Viral hepatitis and STI remain important public health issues, as incidence rates for many of these infections have increased over the last five years and are disproportionately affecting priority populations.
• Over the last five years, PHAC has supported the application of viral hepatitis and STI-related knowledge, particularly for target audiences working in sexual health. PHAC could further encourage the application of knowledge products by enhancing outreach to other audiences.
• Through its funded activities, PHAC has increased the capacity and skills of priority populations and target audiences, and has contributed to uptake of personal health behaviours that prevent the acquisition and transmission of viral hepatitis and STI. Additional work needs to be done to reach the most at-risk populations.
• PHAC has also worked on integrating its viral hepatitis and STI response with its HIV response. The term sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections (STBBI) is used to refer to infections that can be transmitted sexually or through blood. This integration work resulted in the release of the Pan-Canadian STBBI Framework for Action in June 2018. Canadians and stakeholders would benefit from more clarity as to how, within this Framework, specific federal actions will be implemented to work towards the elimination of STBBI as a health concern by 2030.
• While performance measurement data on PHAC’s activities has been collected, its use has not been maximized, as data is not summarized and used in a systematic way.

Recommendations and responses

Considering the release of the Pan-Canadian STBBI Framework, which set the future of the integrated STBBI program, including HIV, the following recommendations and responses also apply to the Horizontal Evaluation of the Federal Initiative to Address HIV/AIDS in Canada.

1. Determine how federal investments will contribute to the goals outlined in the Pan-Canadian STBBI Framework for Action, including reducing STBBI-related stigma and discrimination, and aligning investments with those populations with the highest burden of STBBI. Communicate this to external stakeholders and Canadians.

Response: Develop and implement the Government of Canada’s Action Plan on STBBI that will outline the actions that will be undertaken by FI partners and other Government of Canada departments to contribute to the goals of the Pan-Canadian STBBI Framework.

2. Explore partnerships and mechanisms to facilitate the dissemination and uptake of STBBI-related knowledge products.

Response: Develop a strategy that outlines options and recommendations to enhance and facilitate the uptake of STBBI related knowledge products, including targeted activities for different stakeholder groups such as primary care providers, and identify key stakeholders/partners who could support the development and mobilization of key products.

3. Enhance the use of performance information by simplifying indicators within the current performance measurement strategy to allow for annual reporting of results.

Response: Review the existing STBBI performance measurement strategy to align with the Government of Canada’s Action Plan on STBBI and the agreed upon FPT STBBI Indicators Framework.

About this evaluation

The evaluation assessed the relevance and performance of PHAC’s viral hepatitis and STI activities from 2013-14 to 2017-18. The evaluation included a literature review, a document review, key informant interviews with internal and external stakeholders, and a review of financial data.