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. 2023 Jul;34(8):574-580.
doi: 10.1177/09564624231152804. Epub 2023 Mar 24.

Acceptability of self-collected vaginal swabs for sexually transmitted infection testing among youth in a community-based setting in Zimbabwe

Helena Rochford  1 , Leyla Larsson  1 , Victoria Simms  1   2 , Constancia Mavodza  1   3 , Lovemore Sigwadhi  1 , Ethel Dauya  1 , Anna Machiha  4 , Mitchell Mavhura  1 , Tatenda Bipiti  1 , Chido Mangena  1 , Tsitsi Bandason  1 , Rashida A Ferrand  1   5 , Suzanna C Francis  2 , Chido Dziva Chikwari  1   2
Affiliations

Acceptability of self-collected vaginal swabs for sexually transmitted infection testing among youth in a community-based setting in Zimbabwe

Helena Rochford et al. Int J STD AIDS. 2023 Jul.

Abstract

Background: Youth are a high-risk group for sexually transmitted infections (STIs). To increase access to STI testing, convenient approaches for sampling and testing are needed. We assessed the acceptability of self-collected vaginal swabs (SCVS) for STI testing among young women (16-24 years) attending a community-based sexual and reproductive health service in Zimbabwe.

Methods: A SCVS was used for point-of-care testing for Trichomonas vaginalis and a urine sample for testing for Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae. A questionnaire was administered to investigate the acceptability of SCVS versus self-collected urine samples. In-depth interviews (IDIs) explored the experience of SCVS and reasons for sample collection preference. Qualitative analysis was predominantly deductive.

Results: We recruited 129 women who took up STI testing (median age 20 years, IQR 18-22 years) and conducted 12 IDIs. Most participants reported that they understood the instructions (93.0%) and found SCVS easy (90.7%). Many participants felt relaxed (93.0%), in control (88.4%) and that they had enough privacy (90.7%). Pain or discomfort were reported by 16.3% and embarrassment by 15.5%. Among the 92 (71.3%) participants who provided both a SCVS and urine sample, 60.9% preferred SCVS. Sample collection method preferences were similar between 16-19 and 20-24year-olds. In IDIs, clear instructions, privacy, trust in the service and same-day results were perceived as important facilitators to taking up SCVS. Participants frequently described feeling relaxed and confident whilst taking a SCVS. Pain and discomfort were uncommon experiences.

Conclusions: SCVS for STI testing are acceptable to young women and a feasible method of sample collection in community-based settings.

Keywords: Africa; diagnosis; screening; trichomoniasis (Trichomonas vaginalis); women.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Reasons that young women prefer self-collected vaginal swabs compared to self-collected urine samples in a community-based setting in Zimbabwe.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Reasons that young women prefer self-collected urine samples compared to self-collected vaginal swabs in a community-based setting in Zimbabwe.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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