Emerging sexual and reproductive health in Australia and New Zealand: gaps, challenges and solutions

Phillips, Tiffany R.; Chow, Eric P. F.; Coombe, Jacqueline

doi:10.1071/sh23156

Cited by 1 publication

(1 citation statement)

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“…Māori and Pacific young people experience disproportionately high population case rates of chlamydia and gonorrhoea 17 (yet are screened at proportionately lower rates), 18 and face barriers in their access to sexual health care. 9,19,20 For these reasons, they are considered 'priority groups' who require extra resources and funding to eliminate STI-related inequities. To explore the potential of online testing to reduce inequities in access, this study involved small group wānanga in the Wellington region of NZ to seek Māori and Pacific young people's views towards online STI testing.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Māori and Pacific young people’s perspectives on testing for sexually transmitted infections via an online service: a qualitative study

Rose,

Gardiner,

Dunlop

et al. 2024

J. Prim. Health Care

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Introduction. International research suggests free online postal self-sampling for sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing is an acceptable alternative to clinic-based testing. A userpays online STI testing service exists in Aotearoa New Zealand, but acceptability among priority populations is unknown. Aim. To explore Māori and Pacific young people's perspectives on online postal self-sampling for STI testing (as prospective service users). Methods. Four wānanga (knowledge-sharing forum) were held between November 2022 and May 2023 with Māori and Pacific participants aged 15-24 years who were recruited via youth-focused community organisations. Three facilitators guided discussions about STI testing and use of an online service. Inductive thematic analysis was used to analyse data generated from audio-recorded discussions, group work notes and facilitator field notes. Results. None of the 38 participants were aware of online STI testing and all considered it cost-prohibitive. Perceptions of online testing were mixed, and discussion about concerns outweighed perceived benefits. Three themes were identified: (i) potential to support autonomy (perceived benefits and positive features of self-sample collection kits); (ii) barriers and process-related concerns; and (iii) tailoring online STI testing to young people's needs (facilitating engagement with online testing). Discussion. For online STI testing to be an accessible alternative to clinic-based testing for priority populations, cost, low awareness and other barriers in the testing pathway need to be addressed. Clinician follow-up on positive results and free treatment would be critical to ensure the cycle of best practice care is completed. Regardless of where testing is accessed, investment is needed to support young people's knowledge of when, why and how to access a sexual health check.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%