Improving Chlamydia trachomatis retesting rates by mailed self-collection kit.

BACKGROUND

To assess a mailed self-collection kit for chlamydia testing as an intervention to increase post-treatment retesting rates.

METHODS

This prospective intervention study took place at a sexual health clinic in Townsville, North Queensland (Australia) between 2006 and 2008. The intervention consisted of offering to mail a self-collection kit for retesting 3 months after treatment. The achieved retesting rates were compared to those from the previous year and to concurrent controls who did not participate in the intervention. Both control groups received standard advice on retesting.

RESULTS

Of the 46 participants in the intervention group, 34.8% returned the sample for retesting 3 to 4 months after initial treatment, in comparison to 6.8% of the historic control groups (n=206) and 1.4% of the concurrent control group (n=142) (P<0.001, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Retesting rates for Chlamydia trachomatis were substantially and significantly improved using the mailed self-collection kit evidencing that the kit could deliver a much needed intervention to improve notoriously low retesting rates.