In the world we live in today, a holistic view of health and wellbeing must include mental and emotional health alongside physical health. To provide client-centered healthcare that is tailored to the unique needs of queer men, clinicians and healthcare providers should know how queerness intersects with various facets of men's health. This factsheet takes an intersectional lens and looks at different factors such as HIV status, trauma, housing, race, age, ability, class, body image, substance use, etc. and makes suggestions for coping as well as improvements to the healthcare system.
Step-By-Step Guide: How to Use GetaKit.ca
GetaKit.ca is an inclusive online platform that provides access to testing for sexually transmitted and blood borne infections (STBBIs), including laboratory-based testing for chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, hepatitis C, and HIV and/or to obtain an HIV self-test.
This is useful for anyone who finds it inconvenient to get to a testing clinic or who may want to exercise discretion with testing.
The folks at GetaKit have prepared a handy step-by-step guide that you can use to navigate the website, or, if you’re a community worker or healthcare provider, that you can show coworkers or clients!
To order testing through GetaKit.ca, you will be asked to register for an account.
After registration and completion of an intake assessment, the study team will send out an HIV self-test (available anywhere in Ontario), requisitions for STBBI testing, and/or other testing materials that are relevant to you, such as swabs (available in select regions in Ontario).
GetaKit.ca is a research study and to participate you have to register and provide your consent.
The purpose of the study is to evaluate the outcomes associated with an online, mail-out system for HIV self-tests, STBBIs, and self-collection swabs for STI testing.
The research study wants to see who uses these services and to look at associated outcomes related to test results (e.g., if participants have positive tests, obtain care, and do follow-up).
All tests offered through GetaKit are validated and approved by Health Canada and/or Public Health Ontario; the study does not involve any trials of unapproved tests or devices.
Visit GetaKit.ca to order your STI/HIV testing today!