TESTATE STI project: an online chlamydia and gonorrhoea self-sampling strategy for gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men and trans people in Catalonia (Spain).

Abstract

Objectives: TESTATE STI is an online offer of self-sampling kits (SSKs) for the detection of Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) among gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) and transgender people (TG) in Catalonia. The aims of this study are: 1) to develop and evaluate the effectiveness, satisfaction and willingness of a pilot online intervention that includes the offer of SSKs for CT/NG screening with online consultation of subsequent results and (2) to analyse its potential as an effective strategy to encourage diagnosis, linkage to treatment and to describe contact notification by participants with a positive diagnosis.

Methods: The distribution of SSKs, which included a urine collection tube, a pharyngeal and a rectal swab, was conducted through two recruitment strategies: autonomously via social media and GBMSM or TG leisure spaces, or accompanied by community-based organisations. Participants completed a socio-demographic, biobehavioural and satisfaction survey.

Results: A total of 386 kits were tested in the laboratory. The estimated positivity rate for having at least one STI was 20.7%. TESTATE STI indicates that approximately 90.0% of positive participants were extragenital. 81.0% of positive cases were linked to the health system, and 96.9% of those were treated. We estimate that five kits must be performed to detect a positive CT/NG with the TESTATE STI intervention. Almost all participants (98.8%) would recommend taking the chlamydia and gonorrhoea self-sampling with TESTATE STI.

Conclusion: The TESTATE STI project concluded that the deployment of SSKs for the detection of CT/NG is a viable and feasible strategy for GBMSM and TG in Catalonia. TESTATE STI is an effective strategy for encouraging diagnosis, treatment linkage and contact notification. Implementing TESTATE STI would increase access to confidential testing and promote early STI detection.