Home self-testing: an effective screening strategy for Chlamydia trachomatis.

Introduction - Objectives - To increase the uptake of Chlamydia trachomatis screening, INPES conducted a pilot study from September 3 to October 14, 2012, using an online platform that offered home delivery of a self-collection kit. Materials and Methods - The study is a randomized controlled trial comparing two screening incentive strategies. In the control group, information on screening was provided along with a referral to traditional healthcare facilities. In the intervention group, a home self-collection kit was offered. Screening uptake was assessed via a follow-up questionnaire in the control group and via the return of kits to the CNR for the intervention arm. Analyses were performed using Stata 10 on an intention-to-treat basis. Results - 11,075 sexually active young adults aged 18–24 residing in mainland France were included. Testing rates were 8.6% in the control arm and 29.2% in the intervention arm. The intervention significantly increased testing uptake (aRR = 3.4; CI [3.1–3.8]) across all population groups, except among those born in the Maghreb (RR = 1.2; CI [0.3–4.3]). The impact of the intervention is more pronounced among men (aRR = 4.5; CI [3.8–5.5]) than among women (aRR = 3.0; CI [2.6–3.4]). It is particularly beneficial for men who have never been tested (aRR = 4.6; CI [3.8–5.7]) and for those who have not had a new partner in the past three months (aRR = 6.0; CI [4.5–8.0]). Women who have not been tested previously are also more receptive to the intervention (aRR = 3.4; CI [2.9–3.9]), as are those with a single partner within the past year (aRR = 3.5; CI [2.9–4.3]). Conclusion - Sending a home self-collection kit is effective in encouraging the target population to get tested; it can be viewed as a means of expanding the traditional screening system or as a catch-up system given the high prevalence. Source: poster cited in the journal "Médecine et maladies infectieuses" in the supplement, volume 44, issue 6.

15th National Conference on Infectious Diseases, Bordeaux, 11-13 juin 2014

Author(s): Kersaudy-rahib D, Bluzat L, Bebear C, Barbeyrac B. DE, Lydie N

Publishing year: 2014

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