Obtaining self-samples to diagnose curable sexually transmitted infections: a systematic review of patients' experiences.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Routine screening is key to sexually transmitted infection (STI) prevention and control. Previous studies suggest that clinic-based screening programmes capture only a small proportion of people with STIs. Self-sampling using non- or minimally invasive techniques may be beneficial for those reluctant to actively engage with conventional sampling methods. We systematically reviewed studies of patients' experiences of obtaining self-samples to diagnose curable STIs.

Methods

We conducted an electronic search of MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, PsychINFO, BNI, and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews to identify relevant articles published in English between January 1980 and March 2014. Studies were included if participants self-sampled for the diagnosis of a curable STI a

SUBMITTER: Paudyal P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4409059 | biostudies-literature | 2015

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature