Gaydos Charlotte A, Rizzo-Price Patricia A, Barnes Mathilda, Dwyer Karen, Wood Billie Jo, Hogan M Terry
Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.
Sex Health. 2006 Dec;3(4):209-15. doi: 10.1071/sh05059.
To ascertain the opinions, concerns and perceptions of sexually active women to guide the development of an internet-based chlamydia outreach and screening program using self-administered vaginal swabs as a first step to prevention.
Seven focus groups were conducted by trained facilitators. Questions were designed to initially open the discussion and elicit the members' own perceptions. Secondary, more probing questions were asked later to confirm participants' responses and elicit truthful answers. The main discussion topics were women's ideas about internet recruitment for chlamydia screening, preferred genital sample type, self-sampling at home using vaginal swabs and using the mail to return specimens. Participants were 42 women, aged 14-49 years. Structured discussions were facilitated using open-ended questions about access to chlamydia testing via the internet. Data were collected and reviewed for common themes and emphasis.
All women actively participated in the discussions, providing valuable information. The concepts of self-sampling and the overall project were viewed positively, along with draft advertisements, questionnaires and self-sampling instructions; some modifications were suggested. Common themes included offering free kits available within their community or by direct mail, as well as pre-addressed, stamped mailers for returning the kit to the laboratory for testing. Commonly perceived obstacles and potential risks included: maintenance of confidentiality; situations of embarrassment; and ensuring simplicity of packaging. Women indicated confidence in their ability to collect vaginal specimens and willingness to call for their test results.
Focus-group surveys were a useful tool and provided valuable feedback to inform the design of a specialised website to educate and facilitate access to chlamydia screening through home sampling.
确定性活跃女性的意见、关切和看法，以指导开展一项基于互联网的衣原体宣传和筛查项目，该项目将自行采集阴道拭子作为预防的第一步。
由经过培训的主持人主持进行了7次焦点小组讨论。问题旨在首先开启讨论并引出成员自己的看法。其次，随后提出更具探究性的问题，以确认参与者的回答并获取真实答案。主要讨论主题包括女性对于通过互联网招募进行衣原体筛查的想法、偏好的生殖器样本类型、在家自行使用阴道拭子采样以及使用邮件返还样本。参与者为42名年龄在14至49岁之间的女性。通过关于通过互联网进行衣原体检测的开放式问题促进结构化讨论。收集数据并审查以找出共同主题和重点。
所有女性都积极参与讨论，提供了有价值的信息。自行采样的概念和整个项目受到积极评价，同时还有广告草稿、问卷和自行采样说明；有人提出了一些修改建议。共同主题包括在其社区内或通过直邮提供免费试剂盒，以及提供预先写好地址并贴好邮票的邮件封套以便将试剂盒返还实验室进行检测。普遍意识到的障碍和潜在风险包括：保密问题；尴尬情况；以及确保包装简单。女性表示对自己采集阴道样本的能力有信心，并愿意打电话询问检测结果。
焦点小组调查是一种有用的工具，为设计一个专门网站提供了有价值的反馈，该网站旨在通过家庭采样来教育并促进衣原体筛查。
