Preferred Methods of Sexually Transmitted Infection Service Delivery Among an Urban Sample of Underserved Midwestern Men

Abstract

Semistructured interviews were completed with a sample of 25 men residing in an urban area of the Midwestern United States to elicit preferred methods of sexually transmitted infection service delivery. Results highlight the influence of stigma, social support, and perceived risk on sexually transmitted infection screening uptake and preferred methods of screening.

Rural College Students’ Amenability Toward Using At-Home Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Sexually Transmitted Infection Testing Kits

“…[25][26][27][28] Similarly, a lack of current STI symptoms influenced overall notions of potential risk. 8 Providing HIV/STI screening in an openly accessible manner that meets the needs of this population could normalize routine testing as part of regular health maintenance behaviors. This trend would result in a reduction in the stigma associated with HIV/STI screening and contraction.…”

“…Specifically, previous work demonstrates discordance between college students' perceived risk and their reported sexual behavior, wherein students are less likely to use condoms for oral, anal, and vaginal sex within primary and nonprimary partners 25–28 . Similarly, a lack of current STI symptoms influenced overall notions of potential risk 8 . Providing HIV/STI screening in an openly accessible manner that meets the needs of this population could normalize routine testing as part of regular health maintenance behaviors.…”

“…6 This lack of testing stems from lower perceived risk of contracting STIs, stigma around STIs, and conservative cultural norms regarding sex and sexual health practices. [7][8][9] Another factor that may influence college student sexual health is rurality, which is often overlooked. Work by McMann and Trout 10 has demonstrated that rural college students use condoms at substantially lower rates than the national average for college students.…”

“…Despite this increased burden, STI and HIV testing remains abysmally low among this population 6 . This lack of testing stems from lower perceived risk of contracting STIs, stigma around STIs, and conservative cultural norms regarding sex and sexual health practices 7–9 …”

Do young black men who have sex with men in the deep south prefer traditional over alternative STI testing?

“…The first step in combatting STIs is early diagnosis to prevent transmission. Yet, research on STI testing preferences is limited in YB MSM including preferences for testing location, staffing, and hours of operation for STI testing sites [6, 7]. There is a critical need for research on the most accessible STI testing services from the perspective of high-risk individuals, including hard-to-reach YB MSM who have unique barriers to STI testing.…”