Ottawa Public Health: GetaKit – Another Option for Sexually Transmitted and Bloodborne Infections (STBBI) Testing

by Jennifer Vo, RN, BSc, MSc(A)

Last November, Black Ottawa Scene featured an article on STBBIs (Sexually Transmitted and Bloodborne Infections) by Ottawa Public Health.  This month’s article will focus on GetaKit, a quick and simple way for residents of Ottawa to get tested for STBBIs.

With so many people not having primary care practitioners in Ottawa, GetaKit offers another option for STBBI testing.  It even allows people to complete testing the same or next day and not have to wait for an appointment. 

To get tested:

  • Log onto getakit.ca and create a free account.
  • Complete the health questionnaire, which will ask about your STBBI diagnoses and testing history, as well as sexual and substance use practices.  This is to ensure that the STBBI testing that is offered to you matches current clinical and public health guidelines, so you can get the tests you need.

If you are getting a urine test and/or blood test

You will not actually get a physical kit.  You will get digital requisitions which GetaKit can send directly to your local lab (for example Dynacare, LifeLabs or BioTest) or you can upload it yourself or print it and bring it to the lab.  A technician at the lab will draw your blood and collect your urine. 

If you are getting oral and/or rectal swab tests

Physical kits will be mailed to you. Oral and rectal swabs will need to be done at home, and then you bring the swabs to the lab along with the requisitions.

If you are getting an HIV self-test

Physical kits will also be mailed to you if you are getting an HIV self-test.  After you complete the test at home, you are encouraged to report your results on GetaKit, with “prefer not to report” as an option.  If you choose to report positive results, you will be connected to care to confirm your results with a blood test at a lab.  If those results are also positive, you will be connected to ongoing HIV care.  Support is available through GetaKit and Ottawa Public Health every step of the way. 

Receiving your results

The results of your lab tests will be available online in your GetaKit account, usually within 5 days of visiting the lab.

If your results are positive, Ottawa Public Health will call you and offer you treatment at the Sexual Health Clinic or link you to care in the community. 

Safe and Easy Testing with GetaKit

Sexual health is a vital part of our overall well-being. For many in the African, Caribbean, and Black communities, stigma and lack of access have made it harder to get tested. GetaKit helps change that by offering a private and convenient way to take charge of your health. Whether you’re testing for the first time or regularly, GetaKit is a great option for receiving sexual health services.

GetaKit has published several articles about their services that can be found on their website.

For more information, visit:

Jennifer Vo, RN, BSc, MSc(A) is a Nursing Project Officer with Ottawa Public Health.