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Psychosocial determinants of the intention to use a chlamydia home self-test: awareness of risk behaviour and test accuracy are important elements of educational interventions
Gaby
Ronda A B,
Loes
van Bokhoven A and
Trudy
van der Weijden A
A
Department of General Practice, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, School for Public Health and Primary Care (Caphri), Maastricht University, PO Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands. B
Corresponding author. Email: gaby.ronda@maastrichtuniversity.nl
Sexual Health
10(1)
93-94 http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/SH12061
Submitted: 1 May 2012 Accepted: 4 June 2012 Published:
19
November
2012
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Abstract
Background:
The aim of the present study was to investigate the association between psychosocial variables and the intention to use a chlamydia (Chlamydia trachomatis) home self-test, to enable information to be tailored to the target population. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was carried out among an internet panel. A questionnaire was sent to a sample of 227 panellists in October 2006. A multiple linear regression analysis was conducted to assess the predictive value of the psychosocial factors for the intention to test. Results: The response rate was 88% (n = 200). Respondents with higher intentions to use a home self-test were younger, perceived themselves to be more susceptible to chlamydia, had more personal experience with chlamydia, felt a stronger moral obligation to do a test and had a higher level of response efficacy than those with lower intentions. Conclusions: This study provides topics for educational interventions aimed at encouraging chlamydia testing in general, and at developing a more effective use of home self-test. Awareness of personal behaviour and information about the probability of false positive and false negative test results with home self-tests should be elements of these interventions.
Additional keywords:
Netherlands, perceptions, sexually transmissible infections.
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