Awareness of internet-based testing for sexually-transmitted and blood-borne infections among sexual minority men in British Columbia, Canada

BackgroundGetCheckedOnline is an internet-based testing program for HIV, Hepatitis C, and other sexually-transmitted infections (STIs) in British Columbia (BC), Canada. The program launched in 2014 in Vancouver, BC’s largest urban centre, and expanded to six smaller urban and suburban BC communities in 2016. We sought to measure GetCheckedOnline awareness among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (gbMSM), and to identify characteristics that may contribute to program awareness.MethodsSex Now was a cross-sectional online health survey of Canadian gbMSM aged ≥15 years recruited from 10/2019–02/2020. BC residents were asked if they knew about GetCheckedOnline and additional questions related to implementation outcomes. We built a multivariable logistic regression model including all variables significant in univariate analysis to quantify associations with awareness, and report adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals (AOR [95%CI]).ResultsAmong participants living in regions where GetCheckedOnline is available (n=1132, median age: 36 years), 38.1% were aware of GetCheckedOnline. Greater GetCheckedOnline awareness was associated with living outside of Vancouver (AOR=2.15 [1.50–3.10]), identifying as queer (AOR=1.58 [1.13–2.21]), having post-graduate education (AOR=1.84 [1.17–2.91]), being out to healthcare providers (AOR=1.97 [1.22–3.24]), using ≥3 geolocation-based sex-seeking apps (AOR=2.15 [1.40–3.33]), and past-year involvement in LGBTQ2S+-specific activities (AOR=1.56 [1.10–2.23]). Awareness decreased with increasing years of age (AOR=0.98 [0.97–1.00]). Compared with participants who usually tested for STIs at a sexual health clinic, awareness was lower among participants who usually tested for STIs through their family doctor (AOR=0.50 [0.33–0.73]) or at walk-in medical clinics (AOR=0.54 [0.30–0.96]), and among those who had never tested for STIs previously (AOR=0.17 [0.06–0.39]).ConclusionAlmost 40% of gbMSM in our sample were aware of GetCheckedOnline. Increasing promotion to gbMSM who are not out to their healthcare provider, who have never tested previously for STIs, or who are less connected to LGBTQ2S+ communities may improve program reach.

Does the 'canada COVID-19 alert' app stand up to critical scrutiny? a rapid qualitative assessment

Background In the wake of the urgency to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, several tools have been rapidly developed and implemented. As part of the 'digital government response to COVID-19,' the Government of Canada launched the 'Canada COVID-19 Alert' app in June 2020. This cellphone/tablet-based app aims to use Bluetooth technology to notify users of potential exposures to COVID-19. Despite reports that over 40 such apps have been implemented worldwide, evaluations of the government's intended aims, the extent to which those aims are realized through these tools, and the implications of their usage are missing. Objective This study undertakes a rapid qualitative assessment of the Canada COVID-19 app during the first phase of its development and implementation (May-October 2020). Methods Three qualitative methods are employed: 1) Review of government website and available documentary materials to assess intended aims. 2) Walkthrough of the app to assess the extend to which the intended aims might be accomplished. 3) Analysis of Canadian newspaper coverage to assess the societal implications of app usage. Critical analyses are guided by asking: for what ends, for whom, by whom, and under which circumstances can the app operate as intended. Rapid assessment focuses on the role and balance of evidence-, needs-, and/or technology-driven justifications, and of public healthand/ or government-oriented goals and functions. Results Preliminary analyses indicate that the app's aims remain elusive. It serves a limited potential proximity notification role, rather than a contact tracing aim. Debates about data privacy and storage concerns indicate scepticism and mistrust of the app. Profit (re)distribution and tool de-implementation plans amid an unlikely clear-cut pandemic 'end' remain absent. Conclusions In a time which trust in public health measures are essential for the control of communicable disease, the tools employed must be assessed. Only through critical scrutiny can new tools stand up to benefit the public good.

13 Does the ‘Canada COVID-19 alert’ app stand up to critical scrutiny? A rapid qualitative assessment

BackgroundIn the wake of the urgency to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, several tools have been rapidly developed and implemented. As part of the ‘digital government response to COVID-19,’ the Government of Canada launched the ‘Canada COVID-19 Alert’ app in June 2020. This cellphone/tablet-based app aims to use Bluetooth technology to notify users of potential exposures to COVID-19. Despite reports that over 40 such apps have been implemented worldwide, evaluations of the government’s intended aims, the extent to which those aims are realized through these tools, and the implications of their usage are missing.ObjectiveThis study undertakes a rapid qualitative assessment of the Canada COVID-19 app during the first phase of its development and implementation (May-October 2020).MethodsThree qualitative methods are employed: 1) Review of government website and available documentary materials to assess intended aims. 2) Walkthrough of the app to assess the extend to which the intended aims might be accomplished. 3) Analysis of Canadian newspaper coverage to assess the societal implications of app usage. Critical analyses are guided by asking: for what ends, for whom, by whom, and under which circumstances can the app operate as intended. Rapid assessment focuses on the role and balance of evidence-, needs-, and/or technology-driven justifications, and of public health- and/or government-oriented goals and functions.ResultsPreliminary analyses indicate that the app’s aims remain elusive. It serves a limited potential proximity notification role, rather than a contact tracing aim. Debates about data privacy and storage concerns indicate scepticism and mistrust of the app. Profit (re)distribution and tool de-implementation plans amid an unlikely clear-cut pandemic ‘end’ remain absent.ConclusionsIn a time which trust in public health measures are essential for the control of communicable disease, the tools employed must be assessed. Only through critical scrutiny can new tools stand up to benefit the public good.