Abstract
Background Sexually transmitted infection (STI) rates are increasing in the United States while funding for prevention and treatment programs has declined. Sample self-collection for STI testing in men may provide an acceptable, easy, rapid, and potentially cost-effective method for increasing diagnosis and treatment of STIs. Methods We conducted a systematic review of articles assessing self-collection of anal, oral, or genital swab samples among adult men for detection of STIs and/or human papillomavirus-related dysplasia. We searched for English-language articles in which men 18 years or older were recruited to participate. Results Our literature search resulted in 1053 citations, with 20 meeting inclusion criteria. Self-collection methods were highly sensitive and comparable with clinician collection for detection of multiple STI pathogens. However, self-collected samples were less likely to be of adequate quality for anorectal cytology and less sensitive for detection of anal intraepithelial neoplasia than clinician-collected samples. Self-collection was highly acceptable. Overall, studies were small and heterogeneous and used designs providing lower levels of evidence. Conclusions Self-collection methods are a viable option for collecting samples for STI testing in adult men based on their high feasibility, acceptability, and validity. Implementation of self-collection procedures in STI testing venues should be performed to expand opportunities for STI detection and treatment.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 294-300 |
| Number of pages | 7 |
| Journal | Sexually Transmitted Diseases |
| Volume | 45 |
| Issue number | 5 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - May 1 2018 |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:From the *Division of Infectious Diseases and International Medicine, Department of Medicine, and †Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota; and ‡Minnesota Medical Research Foundation, Minneapolis, MN Conflict of Interest and Sources of Funding: Dr Nicholas Yared was funded by a National Institutes of Health Infectious Disease Training in Clinical Investigation Grant (T32 AI055433-11A1). All other authors declare no conflicts of interest. Correspondence: Yared Nicholas, MD, Division of Infectious Diseases and International Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, 420 Delaware St SE, MMC 250, Minneapolis, MN 55455. E‐mail: yared007@umn.edu. Received for publication June 8, 2017, and accepted October 3, 2017. DOI: 10.1097/OLQ.0000000000000739 Copyright © 2017 American Sexually Transmitted Diseases Association All rights reserved.
Publisher Copyright:
Copyright © 2017 American Sexually Transmitted Diseases Association All rights reserved.
