TY - JOUR
T1 - Acceptability, usability, and user experiences of an online postal self-sampling approach for HIV and STI testing in Belgium: Test2Know
AU - De Baetselier, Irith
AU - Herrijgers, Corinne
AU - Vanroye, Fien
AU - Baudry, Birgit
AU - Lebacq, Tim
AU - Verschueren, Jacob
AU - Cuylaerts, Vicky
AU - Kenyon, Chris
AU - van Frankenhuijsen, Maartje
AU - Vanbaelen, Thibaut
AU - Wouters, Kristien
AU - Van den Bossche, Dorien
AU - Platteau, Tom
PY - 2025
Y1 - 2025
N2 - BackgroundOnline postal self-sampling (OPSS) for HIV/STI improves testing access and coverage. We assessed the acceptability, usability, and user experiences of the "Test2Know" (T2K) OPSS platform in Flanders, Belgium, to inform further implementation.MethodsEligible users completed a risk-assessment to determine infections (HIV, syphilis, chlamydia, gonorrhoea, hepatitis C) and anatomical sites for testing. Self-collected samples were mailed to the laboratory, and results were communicated via the platform. Users completed surveys on acceptability, usability and overall user experience.ResultsOf 131 individuals who received a kit; 98 (74.8%) returned samples. 62.2% were male, 27.6% were men who had exclusively sex with men, and the median age was 29 years. Nearly 43% had never been tested for HIV or did not recall previous testing. 9 (9.2%) tested positive for an STI, all men; 7/9 reported sex exclusively with men, and 2/9 had never tested for HIV. No HIV or HCV infections were detected. Usability and acceptability were 89.2% and 83.3% respectively, nearly 90% would reuse and recommend the platform. However, 45.4% preferred a mixed testing approach due to blood collection challenges.ConclusionsOPSS is highly acceptable and reaches individuals at risk for STI. Further research should explore sustainable integration into Belgian healthcare.
AB - BackgroundOnline postal self-sampling (OPSS) for HIV/STI improves testing access and coverage. We assessed the acceptability, usability, and user experiences of the "Test2Know" (T2K) OPSS platform in Flanders, Belgium, to inform further implementation.MethodsEligible users completed a risk-assessment to determine infections (HIV, syphilis, chlamydia, gonorrhoea, hepatitis C) and anatomical sites for testing. Self-collected samples were mailed to the laboratory, and results were communicated via the platform. Users completed surveys on acceptability, usability and overall user experience.ResultsOf 131 individuals who received a kit; 98 (74.8%) returned samples. 62.2% were male, 27.6% were men who had exclusively sex with men, and the median age was 29 years. Nearly 43% had never been tested for HIV or did not recall previous testing. 9 (9.2%) tested positive for an STI, all men; 7/9 reported sex exclusively with men, and 2/9 had never tested for HIV. No HIV or HCV infections were detected. Usability and acceptability were 89.2% and 83.3% respectively, nearly 90% would reuse and recommend the platform. However, 45.4% preferred a mixed testing approach due to blood collection challenges.ConclusionsOPSS is highly acceptable and reaches individuals at risk for STI. Further research should explore sustainable integration into Belgian healthcare.
UR - https://www.webofscience.com/wos/woscc/full-record/WOS:001488525400001
U2 - 10.1177/09564624251342616
DO - 10.1177/09564624251342616
M3 - A1: Web of Science-article
C2 - 40370224
SN - 0956-4624
JO - International Journal of STD & AIDS
JF - International Journal of STD & AIDS
ER -