College students’ preferences for information on self-initiated sexually transmitted infection testing

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study was to identify preferences for content, method of delivery and frequency of information to encourage self-initiated sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing. Design: Qualitative study involving individual in-depth interviews with 35 college students aged 18–24 years. Setting: A university in Central Pennsylvania, USA. Method: Data were collected using a demographic and sexual history questionnaire, Sexually Transmitted Disease Knowledge Questionnaire and a semi-structured interview guide. Transcribed interviews were analysed using qualitative content analysis. Results: Findings from the study document STI testing information preferences as they relate to self-initiated testing. The majority of participants preferred receiving STI testing information through email. Themes within their accounts included Actionable Information Content, Frequently Accessed Delivery Method, and Routine STI Testing Information. Conclusion: The high incidence of STIs among US college students is an indication of the need to increase diagnosis and treatment to reduce transmission. Study findings have implications for the development and evaluation of low-cost interventions to improve the uptake of STI testing and reduce STI burden among college students.

Direct-to-consumer STI screening methods: Preferred communication sources and channels among young adult women

“…As such, introducing DTC methods at college orientations or through RAs in college residence halls offers an opportunity to improve STI testing among young adults. A study of information about DTC methods in college settings found that email was a preferred communication channel because of the privacy it allowed 19 . In addition, women who were screened in the past year ranked college resources as more important than those who had not, which may translate to higher trust in the college healthcare system among these women.…”

“…A study of information about DTC methods in college settings found that email was a preferred communication channel because of the privacy it allowed. 19 In addition, women who were screened in the past year ranked college resources as more important than those who had not, which may translate to higher trust in the college healthcare system among these women. To expand this trust, college healthcare providers and clinics may consider incorporating outreach into their programming to earn the same trust from the larger population of women who may benefit from STI screening.…”

“…17 Currently, a growing number of client-centered innovations in STI screening are being developed, some of which are ready for dissemination to the general public. 18 Emails from college or universities 19 are a preferred source of information about methods comparable to DTC methods, but little else is known about the broader communication channels and dissemination approaches to promote these methods. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to identify the sources and communication channels preferred to receive information about DTC methods among young adult women.…”

Strategies for the Curriculum Reform of Psychological Well-being Education for University Students

“…Psychological well-being education is an important content of quality education in universities, and it is an objective need for university students to grow into talents. Strengthening psychological well-being education in universities has important practical significance [1]. As an important part of college education and students' ideological and political work, it is an important way and means to implement quality education, promote the all-round growth of university students and improve the quality of personnel training [2].…”