title: Acceptability of sexually transmitted infection testing using self-collected vaginal swabs among college women.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the acceptability of sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing using self-collected vaginal swabs (SCVS) among college women.
  
  
  METHODS
  First-year female students (N=483).
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants were offered free testing for 3 STIs using SCVS in April 2010 and later completed a survey regarding their testing decision and experiences.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sixty-four percent (n=310) accepted testing; of these, 98% found it easy or very easy to understand the SCVS instructions, and 93% found it easy or very easy to collect the specimen. Among the 36% who did not participate in testing, most had scheduling conflicts or did not perceive a risk for STIs; only 26% felt uncomfortable about the SCVS procedure. Among all women, SCVS was preferred over other STI testing methods.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  STI testing using SCVS was acceptable to the majority of college women and could increase the uptake of testing among sexually active college women.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York, USA. Robyn_Fielder@brown.edu
authors.forename: Robyn L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Fielder
authors.forename: Kate B
authors.initials: KB
authors.lastname: Carey
authors.forename: Michael P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Carey
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D009518:New York; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012648:Self Care; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D013333:Student Health Services / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014495:Universities; D014626:Vaginal Smears; D055815:Young Adult