Journal of Health Services Research & Policy > Volume 14, Number 1 > Pp. 35-43

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Llewellyn, C. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Social Bookmarking                      What's this?

Original research

Are home sampling kits for sexually transmitted infections acceptable among men who have sex with men?

Carrie Llewellyn , Alex Pollard ¹, Helen Smith, Martin Fisher ² on behalf of the Home Sampling Kit Study Group

Division of Public Health & Primary Care, Brighton & Sussex Medical School, Brighton; ¹ Terrence Higgins Trust South, Brighton; ² Department of Genitourinary Medicine, Brighton & Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust, Brighton, UK

Correspondence to: c.d.llewellyn{at}bsms.ac.uk

Objective: There is an urgent need to increase opportunistic screening for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in community settings, particularly for those who are at increased risk including men who have sex with men (MSM). The aim of this qualitative study was to explore whether home sampling kits (HSK) for multiple bacterial STIs are potentially acceptable among MSM and to identify any concerns regarding their use. This study was developed as part of a formative evaluation of HSKs.

Methods: Focus groups and one-to-one semi-structured interviews with MSM were conducted. Focus group participants (n = 20) were shown a variety of self-sampling materials and asked to discuss them. Individual interviewees (n = 24) had experience of the self-sampling techniques as part of a pilot clinical study. All data were digitally recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data were analysed using a framework analysis approach.

Results: The concept of a HSK was generally viewed as positive, with many benefits identified relating to increased access to testing, enhanced personal comfort and empowerment. Concerns about the accuracy of the test, delays in receiving the results, the possible lack of support and potential negative impact on ‘others’ were raised.

Conclusion: The widespread acceptability of using HSKs for the diagnosis of STIs could have important public health impacts in terms of earlier diagnosis of asymptomatic infections and thus a decrease in the rate of onward transmission. In addition, HSKs could potentially optimize the use of genitourinary medicine services and facilitate patient choice.

CiteULike    Complore    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    What's this?