Women on long-acting contraceptives more likely to get screening if they don't have to go to clinic
WEDNESDAY, Nov. 24 (HealthDay News) -- Women on long-acting contraceptives are more likely to complete sexually transmitted infection (STI) screening when they can self-test at home instead of going to a clinic, according to research published in the December issue of Obstetrics & Gynecology.
To determine whether home-based or clinic-based screening for STIs resulted in higher screening rates, Anna S. Graseck, M.D., of Washington University in St. Louis, and colleagues conducted a randomized clinical trial of 558 women using long-acting reversible contraception methods.
The researchers found that the home group was more likely to self-report screening compared with the clinic group (relative risk, 1.7); sub-analysis by tests received or documented in medical records gave similar results (relative risk, 2.2). Factors associated with having a completed screening included higher levels of education and receiving public assistance.
"The availability of STI screening options outside of the traditional clinic setting for women who may not require or seek annual gynecologic care are necessary if we hope to reduce STIs among women," the authors write.
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