Rapid Uptake of Testing for Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, and HIV From an Online Platform, April-October 2020

Am J Public Health. 2022 Jul;112(7):985-989. doi: 10.2105/AJPH.2022.306835. Epub 2022 May 26.

Abstract

The Baltimore City Health Department (Baltimore, MD) promoted IWantTheKit for chlamydia, gonorrhea, and HIV testing to city residents and clinic patients when COVID-19 restricted in-person clinic services. From April to October 2020, monthly online IWantTheKit orders increased by 645%. A high prevalence of chlamydia and gonorrhea was detected, and 96% of users who tested positive for chlamydia and gonorrhea were successfully contacted for treatment. Uptake by Baltimore City Health Department priority populations and excellent treatment linkage demonstrated how a public health-academic partnership successfully addressed a service gap during the pandemic. (Am J Public Health. 2022;112(7):985-989. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2022.306835).

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • COVID-19* / diagnosis
  • COVID-19* / epidemiology
  • Chlamydia Infections* / diagnosis
  • Chlamydia Infections* / epidemiology
  • Chlamydia*
  • Gonorrhea* / diagnosis
  • Gonorrhea* / epidemiology
  • HIV Infections* / diagnosis
  • HIV Infections* / epidemiology
  • Humans