Streamlined Self-Collection Screening for Sexually Transmitted Infections and Human Papillomavirus: A Single-Group...

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Infectious Diseases
• Gynecology

Background:

• Human papillomavirus (HPV) self-collection enhances cervical cancer screening uptake, especially among marginalized women.
• Underscreened women face elevated risks for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) detectable via self-collection methods.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess an intervention integrating other STI testing with HPV self-collection among low-income women.
• To evaluate the effectiveness of streamlined self-collection for multiple screenings.

Main Methods:

• Secondary analysis of the My Body, My Test-3 randomized clinical trial.
• Included 327 low-income women overdue for cervical cancer screening in North Carolina.
• Utilized mailed self-collection kits for cervicovaginal samples, tested for HPV and other STIs (chlamydia, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis) using Aptima assay.

Main Results:

• 15.6% (51/327) tested positive for other STIs; 15.6% (51/327) tested positive for HPV; 2.1% (7/327) tested positive for both.
• Risk factors for STIs included non-Hispanic Black race/ethnicity, multiple sexual partners, single marital status, and current smoking.
• 66.7% of those with positive STI results received follow-up care; 84.4% preferred future combined HPV/STI testing.

Conclusions:

• Streamlined STI testing alongside HPV self-collection identified infections in nearly 1 in 6 participants.
• Self-collection interventions show promise for improving both cervical cancer and STI screening rates in marginalized women.
• Combined HPV and STI self-collection is preferred by most participants.