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

Date:

07/15/2022

Locations:

Citation:

Melendez JH, Gilliams EA, Yu T, Williford SL, Armington GS, Silver B, Huebner A, Gaydos CA, Manabe YC, Hamill MM. 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. PMID: 35617664.

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.

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https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35617664/