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Perceptions and experiences of using internet-based testing for sexually transmitted infections
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Spence, Tommer (2021) Perceptions and experiences of using internet-based testing for sexually transmitted infections. PhD thesis, University of Warwick.
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Official URL: http://webcat.warwick.ac.uk/record=b3856708
Abstract
Background
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are a serious public health problem and testing is crucial to tackling their spread. Internet-based testing allows individuals to order a self-sampling kit online and receive their results electronically, reducing the need to attend a clinic unless for treatment. Its usage has grown rapidly in many high-income countries and existing research has found it to be acceptable, however uptake remains low among some high-incidence populations. This study sought to explore perceptions and experiences in order to understand how they impact use.
Methods
There were a combination of methods used to address the research questions of this project. Firstly, a systematic review and synthesis of qualitative research was conducted, to establish current understandings of perceptions and experiences. This led to semi-structured interviews with users of internet-based testing and focus groups with people from Black ethnic groups. The findings from these methods informed the design of a discrete choice experiment (DCE), which was piloted using qualitative and quantitative methods.
Results
Internet-based testing was perceived to offer privacy and convenience, which were the main facilitators to use. There were also concerns, however, that users were missing valuable support from staff and that self-sampling is both challenging and unreliable. This perception was stronger among Black ethnic groups and this population was also uncomfortable with the delivery of kits by post. Although some participants had concerns about SMS results, most who experienced it found it to be acceptable. The DCE design was found to be feasible and valuable through piloting.
Conclusions
These findings revealed a number of adaptations which could be made to 13 service delivery and promotion, which may improve the uptake and experience of internet-based testing. There would be value in further qualitative research exploring the views of populations of interest and in quantitative research exploring perceptions and experiences on a larger scale.
Item Type: | Thesis (PhD) | ||||
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Subjects: | Q Science > QA Mathematics > QA76 Electronic computers. Computer science. Computer software R Medicine > R Medicine (General) R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine > RA0421 Public health. Hygiene. Preventive Medicine R Medicine > RC Internal medicine |
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Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH): | Sexually transmitted diseases, Sexually transmitted diseases -- Diagnosis, Patient self-monitoring, Medical informatics, Internet, Communication in medicine, Online data processing, Medicine -- Data processing | ||||
Official Date: | September 2021 | ||||
Dates: |
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Institution: | University of Warwick | ||||
Theses Department: | Warwick Medical School | ||||
Thesis Type: | PhD | ||||
Publication Status: | Unpublished | ||||
Supervisor(s)/Advisor: | Griffiths, Frances ; Ross, Jonathan D. | ||||
Sponsors: | Economic and Social Research Council (Great Britain) | ||||
Format of File: | |||||
Extent: | 301 leaves : illustrations | ||||
Language: | eng |
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