Young Women’s Preferences for a Self-Sampling Intervention to Diagnose Sexually Transmitted Infections: A Discrete Choice Experiment

Abstract

The high rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in young women in South Africa warrant the use of innovative interventions like self-sampling to diagnose both symptomatic and asymptomatic infections. Although proven as an effective measure in the fight against STIs, there is limited evidence on the preferred attributes of this intervention. We conducted a discrete choice experiment (DCE) to understand young women’s preferred attributes for self-sampling which included accessibility and convenience of self-sampling kits, education and normalisation, confidentiality and communication of results, self-sampling collection method, cost, and youth-friendliness as developed using a nominal group technique. A total of 206 young women aged between 18 – 24 years residing in underserved communities in Ethekwini Metropolitan Municipality, in KwaZulu-Natal, participated in the study. Study findings highlighted young women’s preference for enhanced accessibility, comprehensive education on STIs and self-sampling, confidential result communication, autonomy in self-collection method selection, and youth-friendly healthcare environments. The design of effective self-sampling interventions that promote STI testing thereby reducing transmission of infection, should address these preferences. Policymakers and healthcare providers should engage youth in the design of such initiatives and promote patient-centred healthcare to meet their preferences and improve STI-related health outcomes in this population.