Self-directed sexually transmitted infection testing: providing noninvasive sexual health services.
A literature review that addressed the possible reasons sexually transmitted infection (STI) rates are increasing indicated that self-directed STI testing for gonorrhea and chlamydia should be trialed. As such, a self-directed STI testing kit was developed and piloted for 6 months, during which 182 bathhouse patrons accessed services from both an on-site nurse and through the self-directed kits. In total, 127 of these individuals presented for testing from the nurse, with the remaining using the self-directed testing kits. Community/Participant feedback indicated that this testing method was a welcome adjunct to traditional services, thus suggesting that self-directed testing should be further explored.
O'Byrne
Patrick
P
Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Nursing, University of Ottawa, ON, Canada. pjobyrne@uottawa.ca
D000328:Adult; D001494:Baths; D002170:Canada; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000451:nursing; D006069:Gonorrhea / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000451:nursing; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011634:Public Health / Q000379:methods; D011637:Public Health Nursing / Q000379:methods*; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic
D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic