Acceptability and feasibility of self-sampling for the screening of sexually transmitted infections in cabana privacy shelters

Abstract

Screening for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) outside of traditional health-care facilities is limited by the privacy needed for sample collection. We explored the acceptability of privacy shelters for the self-collection of genital swabs and tested the use of privacy shelters during mobile STI screening. Attendees ≥14 years old at two outdoor community events completed a questionnaire that assessed participant characteristics, health-care access, and rating of acceptability of self-collecting penile or vaginal swabs in a privacy shelter and four other private spaces: portable restroom, health van, home, and doctor’s office. A privacy shelter was used during mobile STI screening. The majority (65%) of the 95 participants reported that using a privacy shelter was somewhat or very acceptable. No participant characteristics or health-care access factors were associated with the acceptability of privacy shelters. Women rated a privacy shelter more acceptable than a portable restroom or health van. Men rated a privacy shelter more acceptable than a portable restroom. During mobile STI screening, all 13 men and women who requested STI testing used the privacy shelter for self-sampling. Rating of acceptability before and after privacy shelter use was the same. Privacy shelters may enable STI screening without using a building or vehicle for sample collection.