Self-sampling for oropharyngeal and rectal specimens to screen for sexually transmitted infections: acceptability among men who have sex with men.
OBJECTIVE
To explore the feasibility and acceptability of self-sampling for oropharyngeal and rectal specimens to screen for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among men who have sex with men (MSM). Participant's willingness to self-sample at home was also explored.


METHODS
Participants of a study to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of self versus nurse taken oropharyngeal and rectal specimens were surveyed to assess the feasibility and acceptability of self-sampling using specimen collection methods (gargle, OraSure mouth pad to collect oropharyngeal specimens and APTIMA unisex swabs to collect rectal and pharyngeal specimens). Acceptability was measured using a five-point Likert-type response scale (for example, 1 = strongly disagree; 5 = strongly agree). Open-ended questions explored participants' experiences of self-sampling.


RESULTS
Of 334 eligible MSM, 301 (90%) participated in the study. Altogether, 301 participants self-sampled using gargle and rectal and pharyngeal swabs and 288 using mouth pad. Complete questionnaire data from 274 participants showed that feasibility and acceptability of self-sampling using gargle and mouth pad was higher (92%) than pharyngeal swabs (76%). Rectal swabs were acceptable to 82% participants. Despite some discomfort and difficulty in using swabs, 76% were willing to use all four methods for self-sampling in the future. Home sampling was acceptable (84%) as it was perceived to be less intrusive and more convenient than a clinic visit and likely to reduce genitourinary medicine (GUM) waiting time.


CONCLUSIONS
Self-sampling for rectal and oropharyngeal specimens is feasible and acceptable to MSM. Self-sampling can be offered as an alternative to clinic-based testing and has the potential to improve choice, access and uptake of screening for STIs.
Wayal
S
S
Division of Primary Care and Public Health, Brighton and Sussex Medical School, Brighton, UK. S.Wayal@bsms.ac.uk
Llewellyn
C
C
Smith
H
H
Hankins
M
M
Phillips
A
A
Richardson
D
D
Fisher
M
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D018451:Homosexuality, Male / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009960:Oropharynx / Q000382:microbiology*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010608:Pharyngeal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology; D012002:Rectal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology; D012007:Rectum / Q000382:microbiology*; D012648:Self Care; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D013048:Specimen Handling; D055815:Young Adult