Illustrated instructions for self-collection of anorectal swab specimens and their adequacy for cytological examination.
BACKGROUND
Self-collection of anorectal swab specimens would facilitate screening for anal cancer precursors and sexually transmitted rectal infections among men who have sex with men (MSM). However, pictorial guides for self-collection were not previously available.


OBJECTIVE
Develop and field test a set of illustrated self-collection instructions.


METHODS
Cross-sectional study of community-recruited MSM who were naïve with regard to collection of specimens for anal cytology.


RESULTS
Among 222 self- and clinician-collected swab pairs provided by mostly human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 seronegative MSM (median age, 31.5 years), most specimens were adequate for cytologic evaluation, though self-collected swabs were less likely to be so (83% versus 92%, P = <0.001). The illustrated instructions were reportedly essential, but having used them, men rated their understanding of the self-collection procedure as very high.


CONCLUSIONS
Provided with illustrated instructions, most MSM who are naïve to the technique can self-collect anorectal swab specimens that are suitable for screening.
BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. talmpinen@cfenet.ubc.ca
Thomas M
TM
Lampinen
Luc
L
Latulippe
Dirk
D
van Niekerk
Arn J
AJ
Schilder
Mary Lou
ML
Miller
Aranka
A
Anema
Robert S
RS
Hogg
D000328:Adult; D001003:Anal Canal / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology* / Q000821:virology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D018451:Homosexuality, Male; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011356:Product Labeling; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic; D012648:Self Care; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D013048:Specimen Handling; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic