High positivity rates and asymptomatic: What take-home STI kits reveal in N.S. – Halifax [Video]

A Dalhousie University pilot project aimed at making sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing more accessible has reached about 50 patients since its launch in August.

It’s also yielded a higher-than-expected positivity rate.

“We have found with the study that we do have a high positivity rate so far,” said Dr. Kyle Wilby, the co-principal investigator with the Swab-Rx research study.

“Many of our positive patients who tested positive in this study actually didn’t have symptoms. And so we’re able to find those infections, treat them, and then we can reduce the transmission of those infections to other people in the community.”

There are a few more months to go in the study, and researchers are encouraging people to get tested.

“There’s a really large gap in sexual health screening and treatment in Nova Scotia. And that’s not because our services are run poorly. It’s just there’s so much demand for the services,” Wilby said.

Chlamydia and gonorrhea …