Creating Innovative STI Testing Options for University Students: the Impact of an STI Self-testing Program

Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Melissa A HabelShelley Haffner

Abstract

National-level data suggest that STI testing rates among young adults are low. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the acceptability of an STI self-testing program at a university health center. Few evaluations have been conducted on the acceptability of collegiate self-testing programs and their effect on testing uptake. To assess acceptability and uptake of self-testing (urine and SCVS), we conducted a brief self-administered survey of students accessing a large US-based university health center from January - December 2015. In 2015, University Health Services experienced a 28.5% increase in CT/GC testing for males and 13.7% increase in testing for females compared to 2013 (baseline). In 2015, 12.4% of males and 4.8% of females tested positive for CT/GC via clinician testing, while 12.9% of males and 12.4% of females tested positive via self-testing. Females were more likely to test positive for CT/GC when selected to test via self-test versus a clinician test, X(1, N = 3068) = 36.54, p<.01; no significant difference in testing type was observed for males. Overall, 22.5% of students who opted for the self-test option completed the acceptability survey; 63% reported their main reason for testing was unprotected sex. In t...Continue Reading

References

Sep 25, 2001·Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine·P O OzuahS P Shelov
Jul 30, 2008·International Journal of STD & AIDS·J S DoshiE Allen
Jan 12, 2013·Journal of American College Health : J of ACH·Robyn L FielderMichael P Carey
Jan 6, 2016·Journal of American College Health : J of ACH·Melissa A HabelElizabeth Torrone
Mar 19, 2016·The Journal of Adolescent Health : Official Publication of the Society for Adolescent Medicine·Kendra M CuffeJami S Leichliter

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Citations

Aug 31, 2019·Journal of the International AIDS Society·Teodora Ec WiMagnus Unemo
Oct 14, 2020·Journal of American College Health : J of ACH·Lisa L LindleyTasnuva Chowdhury

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