Home-based self-sampling and self-testing for sexually transmitted infections: acceptable and feasible alternatives to provider-based screening in low-income women in São Paulo, Brazil.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to determine whether home-based screening for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) is acceptable, feasible, and increases the proportion of women screened among low-income women in São Paulo, Brazil.


METHODS
Eight hundred eighteen women were randomized to receive a clinic appointment or a kit for home-based STI self-collection and testing. All participants collected 2 vaginal swabs, one for polymerase chain reaction detection of chlamydia, gonorrhea, and trichomoniasis and another for a self-conducted rapid test for trichomoniasis.


RESULTS
Slightly more women responded to the initiative within 2 weeks in the home group (80%) than in the clinic group (76%) with younger women showing improved response to home-based screening. Ninety-four percent of home group participants successfully completed self-collection and self-testing on their first attempt.


CONCLUSIONS
Home-based self-collection and self-testing was acceptable, feasible, and resulted in a slightly higher response rate. Home sampling and testing provide promising alternatives to clinic-based STI screening across diverse contexts.
Lippman
Sheri A
SA
Division of Epidemiology, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720, USA. slippman@berkeley.edu
Jones
Heidi E
HE
Luppi
Carla G
CG
Pinho
Adriana A
AA
Veras
Maria Amelia M S
MA
van de Wijgert
Janneke H H M
JH
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D001938:Brazil; D002692:Chlamydia trachomatis / Q000302:isolation & purification; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis; D016054:DNA, Protozoan / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods*; D009344:Neisseria gonorrhoeae / Q000302:isolation & purification; D010349:Patient Compliance; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011203:Poverty; D016353:Self-Examination; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000469:parasitology / Q000517:prevention & control; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014246:Trichomonas vaginalis / Q000302:isolation & purification; D014626:Vaginal Smears
D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D016054:DNA, Protozoan