At SEKISUI Diagnostics, we strive to improve patient outcomes through innovative diagnostics. One area where innovation is creating real-world impact is point-of-care (POC) testing for sexual health. With the increasing demand for rapid, accurate, and accessible diagnostic solutions, POC sexual health testing has emerged as a critical tool in ensuring patients receive timely and appropriate care, especially in environments where follow-up may be challenging.

The Case for Point-of-Care Testing in Sexual Health

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) remain a significant public health challenge globally (1). According to the CDC, millions of new STI cases are reported each year in the U.S. alone, with many more going undiagnosed and untreated (2). One of the major barriers to effective STI management is the delay between testing and treatment — a delay that can lead to continued transmission, complications, and reduced patient engagement.

Point-of-care testing changes that equation.

By delivering results during the same visit, POC testing enables providers to initiate treatment immediately, minimizing the window between diagnosis and care. This immediacy is not only clinically impactful — it’s also essential for improving patient compliance (3).

Closing the Compliance Gap

Compliance with follow-up visits and treatment regimens is a well-documented challenge in sexual health care. Many patients, particularly in underserved or high-mobility populations, may not return for results or treatment when diagnostic processes require multiple appointments (4).

Here’s where POC testing shines:

• One Visit, One Result: Offering results in minutes, POC tests significantly reduce loss to follow-up. Patients are more likely to complete their care when it’s initiated in a single visit (5).
• Better Communication: Real-time results allow providers to engage in immediate, informed discussions with patients about next steps, reducing confusion and increasing adherence.
• Empowerment Through Information: When patients receive fast, accurate answers, they’re more empowered to take control of their sexual health — and more likely to follow treatment or prevention protocols (5).
• Reduced Stigma, Increased Trust: POC testing fosters a more private, streamlined experience that can reduce the stigma often associated with STI screening, encouraging more people to get tested and treated.

Supporting Providers and Public Health Goals

For care providers, POC testing supports operational efficiency and better patient management. Whether in primary care, urgent care, student health centers, or community clinics, fast and reliable diagnostics mean:

• Fewer administrative burdens
• Improved patient flow
• Higher rates of treatment completion
• More data to inform public health strategies

At SEKISUI Diagnostics, we’re proud to offer point-of-care solutions that enable health care teams to deliver faster answers and better outcomes. Our commitment to diagnostic excellence ensures that providers have the tools they need to meet patients where they are — and help them move toward healthier futures.

Looking Ahead

The future of sexual health care lies in accessibility, immediacy, and trust. Point-of-care testing is not just a convenience — it’s a catalyst for better care. As we continue to innovate and support care providers, our goal remains the same: to drive better outcomes through diagnostics that make a difference.

To learn more about our point-of-care diagnostic solutions, visit sekisuidiagnostics.com.

References

1. World Health Organization. Sexually transmitted infections (STIs). World Health Organization. [Online] World Health Organization, May 2024. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/sexually-transmitted-infections-(stis).
2. Centre for Disease Control. New CDC analysis shows steep and sustained increase in STDs in recent years. s.l. : CDC Media Relations, 2018.
3. Center for Disease Control. Talk. Test. Treat. - Healthcare Providers. Center for Disease Control. [Online] Center for Disease Control, April 2025. https://www.cdc.gov/sti-awareness/talktesttreat/providers.html.
4. Prevelance of Sexually Transmitted Infections and Predictors for Loss to Follow up amoung Marginalized Homeless and Migrant Communities: a Cross-Sectional Study. Francesco Vladimiro Segala, Roberta Novara, Gianfranco Panico, Renato Leforgia, Lucia Raho, Marcella Schiavone. s.l. : Annals of Global Health, 2022.
5. Factors Associated With Chlamydia and Gonorrhea Treatment Completion Among Sexual Health Clinic Patients, Baltimore City, Maryland; 2018 to 2019. Norberth Stracker, MS, et al. 5, s.l. : Journal of the American Sexually Transmitted Diseases Association (ASTDA), 2023, Vol. 50.