Would You Use This STI Results-Sharing App?

Originally published in Popsugar UK: https://www.popsugar.co.uk/sex...

What if I told you that you could keep your STI status in your smartphone's digital wallet, tucked between your Monzo and Boots Advantage Card? It might sound outrageous or incredibly futuristic, but that's the way we're headed, thanks to a new STI checking app, Zults.

Created to open up conversations around STIs and remove the awkwardness from disclosing your STI status with potential partners, Zults allows users to transfer their latest results to a secure, user-friendly 'rezults' card to share with anyone, even if they don't have the app. They've also partnered with Sexual Health London (SHL) to bring better sexual health management to your fingertips, quite literally.

But, as innovative as it sounds, what's the need for an app like Zults? First, here's some context about the rising STI rates in the UK. There were 401,800 sexually transmitted infections reported in England in 2023, according to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), with an increased demand for sexual health services — higher than pre-pandemic levels and rising.

Samantha Marshall, head of brand at Smile Makers, tells PS UK that the rise in STIs implies that we may be having more unprotected sex, which is sex without contraception or a barrier method, and condomless intercourse is one of the most prevalent kinds.

"Of the 14 methods of contraception listed on the SH24 website, only two can be used by men. And only one — condoms — is a shared responsibility and experience. When it comes to penis-in-vagina sex, condoms are also the only barrier method for STIs," Marshall tells PS UK. And while there's a demand for sexual health services, "there's a 32% drop in in-person consultations, which means we are not physically going to a clinic and walking away with a brown paper bag filled with condoms," she explains.

Projects like Wrapped are trying to reduce the incidence of STIs through encouraging consistent use of condoms via STI self-test websites for young people, but it seems that isn't enough as UKHSA's data proves there's been a 5% rise in STIs. Getting tested and sharing results with a potential partner — in one way or another — is key, but we understand it's easier said than done. And I guess this is where Zults comes in.

Zults

"Zults is a tool that takes the 'ick' out of requesting or sharing STI results," founders Bianca Dunne and Georgia Di Mattos tell us. "Feeling awkward is a huge barrier preventing people from talking about sexual health and may lead to unnecessary risk-taking. Having an honest and open dialogue with a partner is of course desirable.

"Zults helps to break down the stigma by making the conversation fit into our modern lifestyles. We do everything on our phones — sharing money, sharing taxis, sharing friendships. Sharing our STI status this way too makes sense," they add.

We asked a group of young people three things about Zults: Whether they'd use the app, if it would be assuring or off-putting if a partner sent over their results and whether they trust the Zults card. The replies show that many are on the fence, with some acknowledging the seamless benefits to quickly and easily sharing results, but most unsure of the new technology and preferring traditional forms of results sharing like intimate conversations, seeing an official report or actually going to get tested together.

"It can be handy to have the card at the ready, it's a novelty and an aesthetically-pleasing way of sharing your results."

"I don't see any disadvantages to it, but I wouldn't trust it as much as an official report," one tells PS UK. "But it's definitely not a turn off, I always ask to see recent results before being intimate (even if it's with condoms) and in my opinion, it's even better if they ask first because it's more reassuring that they've been safe before you as well."

Another says: "It can be handy to have the card at the ready, it's a novelty and an aesthetically-pleasing way of sharing your results. I like it, I see the advantages of how it removes the stigma. I see the company has spoken about pairing with dating apps which would be a great idea."

"Personally I wouldn't use it, I would rather go get tested with my partner. But if someone used the app to share their results with me, I'd feel assured and to be honest, I'd trust the app. I feel like a card like this would be harder to fake or edit," a third shares.

Signing up to the app is pretty straightforward and you can customise your profile just as you would your Instagram account, by adding a picture, a chosen username and of course, your STI results. But to one respondent, there's only one feature that's really important.

"The 'Tested' feature [to show when you were last tested] is really important and people should pay close attention to this," they tell us. "Some STIs can take up to two weeks to show up on a test and you can be asymptomatic. Education around STIs is key to make sure you're aware of this."

Dunne and Di Mattos explain that your rezults card is valid for three months from the date you were tested. After that, the card expires and the user needs to get tested again in order to create a rezults card and share it. The rezults card also clearly shows the 'Tested on' date.

"There's no excuse for not knowing your and your partner's status and discussing it openly."

Despite Zults' adaptations, as mentioned above, while education is important, so is communication. Using Zults then having an intimate conversation about sexual health with a potential partner is an ideal combination before getting under the covers, especially amid the epidemic rise in STIs. Dr Andreas M. Kogelnik, CEO of BasisDX, who offer at-home STI testing kits, agrees: "While testing and sharing those results is important and can be enabled by many apps and technologies, the most important thing is still communication and open discussion between partners. Apps can make that easier, although they can also make the conversation easier to avoid.

"Times and technology are moving on but some old attitudes still linger," he continues. There's no excuse for not knowing your and your partner's status and discussing it openly. Be thoughtful for your health and your partner's — communicate."

You can download Zults on the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.