Poor uptake of self-sample collection kits for Chlamydia testing outside primary care.

OBJECTIVES: New strategies are needed to reach at-risk populations for Chlamydia screening.
METHOD: Self-sample collection kits containing instructions and all items required for testing were developed and piloted in a three-month trial in primary care. Practice staff offered kits to young people receiving opportunistic Chlamydia screening to pass on to their 'social contacts.'
RESULTS: The 'pass it on' approach failed to reach adequate numbers of youth for testing: of 67 kits distributed, three specimens were sent to the laboratory (4.5%).
CONCLUSIONS: The method of kit distribution trialled here was not successful in reaching at-risk youth for testing outside the primary care setting. IMPLICATIONS: Use of self-sample collection for chlamydia testing outside healthcare settings is likely to be important for increased access to testing. The importance of chlamydia testing needs to be widely promoted and methods for kit distribution to reach at-risk youth identified.