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Acceptability of sexually transmitted infection testing using self-collected vaginal swabs among college women
Robyn L Fielder1, Kate B Carey, Michael P Carey
1Department of Psychology, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York, USA. Robyn_Fielder@brown.edu
Objective:
To assess the acceptability of sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing using self-collected vaginal swabs (SCVS) among college women.
Participants:
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.
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