From the Guidelines
Sensitive home STI screenings are available, allowing individuals to collect their own samples at home and mail them to a lab for analysis, providing privacy and convenience. These tests are particularly useful for individuals who have experienced sexual assault, as they can help reduce the trauma associated with speculum examinations and provide a sense of control over their healthcare 1. Some popular options for home STI screenings include EverlyWell, myLAB Box, and LetsGetChecked, which offer tests for various STIs including chlamydia, gonorrhea, HIV, syphilis, and trichomoniasis. Most kits include collection materials for urine samples, vaginal/rectal swabs, or blood samples depending on the infections being tested. Results typically arrive within 2-5 days after the lab receives your sample, and many services provide follow-up consultations if results are positive. It is essential to note that while home STI screenings can be reliable, positive results should prompt follow-up with a healthcare provider for confirmation and treatment, as recommended by the CDC 1. Additionally, individuals who have experienced sexual assault should be aware of the importance of emergency contraception and HIV prophylaxis, and should discuss these options with their healthcare provider 1. Key considerations for home STI screenings include:
- Privacy and convenience
- Access to healthcare
- Sensitivity and specificity of tests
- Importance of follow-up with a healthcare provider for confirmation and treatment
- Availability of emergency contraception and HIV prophylaxis for individuals who have experienced sexual assault.
From the Research
Sensitive Home STI Screenings
- Sensitive molecular diagnostic tests that use urine or self-collected swabs are available for STI screening, which can lead to more screening opportunities and faster diagnosis and treatment 2.
- These tests can be used to diagnose gonorrhea, chlamydia, trichomoniasis, and Mycoplasma genitalium infection.
- Home STI specimen collection and point-of-care test usage close to the home have shown recent successes and challenges 3.
- Sample-first, test-and-go services and molecular point-of-care (POC) testing approaches have been found to be effective in increasing screening and reducing costs and time to treatment 4.
Types of STI Screenings
- Acceptable specimen types for testing include vaginal, endocervical, rectal, pharyngeal, and urethral swabs, and first-stream urine samples 5.
- Screening recommendations vary depending on age, sex, and risk factors, with annual screening recommended for certain groups 6, 5.
- Physicians should obtain a sexual history free from assumptions about sex partners or practices to determine the need for STI screening 5.
Implementation of STI Screening Programs
- Novel STI screening programs have been implemented and evaluated in various clinical settings, including urgent cares, walk-in clinics, and university health clinics 4.
- Clear communication and guidance can help clinical and administrative staff in adopting new screening programs 4.
- New programs can reduce time to treatment and travel costs for patients, as well as generate additional revenue for clinics 4.