At-home kit from public health gives more options for STI testing

Southwestern Public Health now offers a discreet, at-home kit for adults to test for various sexually transmitted infections. The health unit for Oxford County, Elgin County, and the City of St. Thomas has teamed up with GetAKit to offer free and discreet testing for individuals over the age of 18 in an effort to break down barriers to testing, such as stigma, privacy concerns, and limited access to health care services in rural areas of the region.

“We believe GetAKit will be an impactful step in improving sexual health across our communities,” says Carolyn Richards, Program Manager for Sexual Health at the health unit. “It’s important to know your sexual health status if you are a sexually active adult, regardless of your relationship status. GetAKit empowers individuals to take control of their sexual health lowering barriers to testing.”

GetAKit lets you test for Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Syphilis, Hepatitis C and HIV, which can all have impacts to reproductive and overall health if left untreated. While some infections do have noticeable symptoms, some do not. “Syphilis is often called the great imitator, as it often mimics symptoms of other illnesses or has no visible symptoms at all. It is also on the rise in this region,” says Richards.

In 2016, Southwestern Public Health only had 1 confirmed case of infection syphilis, and there were 24 cases reported in in 2024.

Adults can access GetAKit online at www.getakit.ca. The system will guide you to the tests that are best for you. Tests are sent discreetly via mail for at-home self-testing or lab requestions can be printed or sent directly to the lab of your choice. Results can be viewed online as soon as two days after the test is submitted. There is no cost to access the GetAKit program through public health. Learn more about the GetAKit service and other sexual health program details at www.swpublichealth.ca/classes-clinics-and-services/sexual-health-clinics.