title: Self-screening for sexually transmitted infections.
abstract: There is an increasing trend towards self-collection of samples for sexually transmitted infection screening in lieu of genital examination and clinician-obtained urethral and cervical swabs. This article examines the advantages and disadvantages of this trend, and the effect on nursing practice particularly within integrated sexual health (ISH) services, which provide genito-urinary medicine (GUM) and contraceptive services. This article might also be of interest to nurses working within separate GUM and contraceptive services, especially those that are preparing to become ISH services.
authors.affiliation: North Lincolnshire Sexual Health, The Ironside Centre, Scunthorpe, Centre for Sexual Health, Diana Princess of Wales Hospital, Grimsby.
authors.forename: Yvonne
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Potter
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D012648:Self Care; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006113:United Kingdom; D014556:Urine / Q000382:microbiology; D014626:Vaginal Smears
keywords: Contraception and sexual health; genito-urinary medicine; integrated sexual health services; sexually transmitted infections