Assessment of online self-testing and self-sampling service providers for sexually transmitted infections against national standards in the UK in 2020.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

Online testing for STIs may help overcome barriers of traditional face-to-face testing, such as stigma and inconvenience. However, regulation of these online tests is lacking, and the quality of services is variable, with potential short-term and long-term personal, clinical and public health implications. This study aimed to evaluate online self-testing and self-sampling service providers in the UK against national standards.

Methods

Providers of online STI tests (self-sampling and self-testing) in the UK were identified by an internet search of Google and Amazon (June 2020). Website information on tests and associated services was collected and further information was requested from providers via an online survey, sent twice (July 2020, April 2021). The informat

SUBMITTER: Clarke E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9887362 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature