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Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are at unprecedented levels; yet most college students have never been tested. Offering asymptomatic individuals the option to collect their own samples for STI testing is an effective strategy to increase testing coverage. This study explores students' perceptions of self-collection services. Four hundred and thirty-four (434) students from a large public university completed an online survey in February 2018. The cross-sectional survey assessed students' human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/STI testing behaviors, comfort with self-collection procedures, and intention to use self-collection services if offered on campus. Most students (88%) said they would use self-collection test kits they could take home, followed by self-collection in a private room at student health services (59%). Students were most comfortable with testing procedures involving less human interaction and collecting specimens themselves. Cost, accuracy, confidentiality of tests, and provision of clear "how to" instructions, topped students' concerns. Offering self-collection options may increase STI testing among asymptomatic college students.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/07448481.2020.1820511 | DOI Listing |
Cureus
August 2025
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Latifa Women and Children Hospital, Dubai, ARE.
Background: Cervical cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer deaths in women in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), with most deaths attributed to late detection. Most of the cervical cancer cases are linked to infection with sexually transmitted 'high-risk' types of human papillomavirus (HPV). Numerous studies have established the superiority of HPV detection in cervical samples compared to cervical cytology for the primary screening of cervical cancer.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAIDS Res Ther
August 2025
Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA.
Background: Many people with HIV experience considerable barriers to accessing HIV clinic services. Options that would permit blood sampling that preclude the need for in-clinic visits and increase privacy would aid in overcoming many of the obstacles that hinder receiving adequate HIV care.
Methods: In Project Home-MaDE, 57 participants were evaluated for their ability to collect fingerstick blood (minimum 250 µL) in Microtainer tubes (MCT), then package and overnight mail specimens following kit instructions without assistance.
PLoS One
August 2025
Sunshine Coast Public Health Unit, Maroochydore, Queensland, Australia.
Obtaining a stool specimen for diagnostic testing of enteric conditions (e.g., gastroenteritis) can be a challenging and unpleasant experience.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFInt J STD AIDS
August 2025
Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.
BackgroundRates of sexually transmitted and blood borne infections (STBBI) are rapidly increasing. Despite the high diagnostic accuracy of self-testing, no fully remote STBBI testing programs are available in Canada. We aimed to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of a fully-remote, web-based, at-home STBBI testing (self-collection) program in Calgary, Canada.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFLancet Public Health
September 2025
WA Country Health Service, Perth, WA, Australia; Rural Clinical School of Western Australia, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia.
Background: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women can face substantial cancer screening barriers in remote areas. To support WHO cervical cancer elimination targets, we evaluated a novel screening approach integrating self-collection, point-of-care human papillomavirus (HPV) testing, and same-day specialist assessment for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women in remote Western Australia.
Methods: We developed a screening approach using point-of-care HPV testing on self-collected samples with same-day results and immediate specialist assessment.