Bloomfield Peter J, Kent Charlotte, Campbell Diane, Hanbrook Larry, Klausner Jeffrey D
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
Sex Transm Dis. 2002 May;29(5):294-7. doi: 10.1097/00007435-200205000-00008.
Because gonococcal and chlamydial infections are often asymptomatic, disease control requires population-based screening. This report describes the feasibility of home-based testing for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and of specimen transport via the US mail.
This project sought to establish the efficacy and acceptability to the public of screening by means of urine kits made available in public places and mailed in for STD testing.
Self-selected community participants obtained STD test kits from local businesses, collected urine specimens at home, and mailed kits to the health department for nucleic acid amplification testing.
Participants picked up 209 test kits and returned 80 (38%): 3 (3.8%) of 76 were positive for gonorrhea and 1 (1.3%) of 76 was positive for chlamydia. The majority (95%) of participants were white gay men. The cost of specimen collection and transport was similar to that of other population-based screening programs.
Using the mail for home-based testing for gonorrhea and chlamydia was feasible and may be a useful addition to STD control efforts.
由于淋球菌和衣原体感染通常无症状，疾病控制需要基于人群的筛查。本报告描述了在家进行性传播疾病（STD）检测以及通过美国邮政运输样本的可行性。
本项目旨在确定在公共场所提供并邮寄用于STD检测的尿液试剂盒进行筛查对公众的有效性和可接受性。
自我选择的社区参与者从当地企业获取STD检测试剂盒，在家中收集尿液样本，并将试剂盒邮寄至卫生部门进行核酸扩增检测。
参与者领取了209个检测试剂盒，归还了80个（38%）：76份样本中有3份（3.8%）淋病检测呈阳性，76份样本中有1份（1.3%）衣原体检测呈阳性。大多数（95%）参与者为白人男同性恋者。样本采集和运输成本与其他基于人群的筛查项目相似。
通过邮寄进行淋病和衣原体的家庭检测是可行的，可能是STD控制工作的有益补充。
