If We Make It, Will They Take It? Attitudes Toward the Acceptability of Chlamydia Point-of-Care Testing Among Adolescents and Young Adults.

BACKGROUND

Adolescent women, 15 to 19 years of age, have the highest rate of Chlamydia trachomatis infection in the United States. The objective of this study was to ascertain knowledge and experience of C. trachomatis and acceptance of C. trachomatis point-of-care testing (POCT) if made available over-the-counter (OTC). Currently, there are no tests for C. trachomatis available OTC for purchase.

METHODS

Patients attending adolescent clinics at University Hospital of Brooklyn and Kings County Hospital received an anonymous 12-item questionnaire. Both clinics serve predominantly African and Caribbean American urban populations. Questions included demographics, sexual orientation, chlamydia knowledge, testing history, prior infection, partner notification, and acceptance of OTC POCT for C. trachomatis.

RESULTS

Surveys from 151 patients (116 women, 35 men) aged 12 to 21 years (mean age, 17.6 years) were analyzed. Only 34 of the 151 (22.5%) respondents understood C. trachomatis transmission; 31 (20.5%) knew its complications. Sixty-seven (44.4%) would purchase an OTC test but 101 (66.8%) would pay no more than $20. All 151 patients reported that they would follow-up with doctor if positive; 143 (94.7%) would notify partners, although 5 of the 31 (16.1%) women with prior infection did not notify partners.

CONCLUSIONS

Nearly half (44%) of adolescents in our population would be interested in using a potential OTC test for C. trachomatis. Cost was a major disincentive. Knowledge of infection remains cursory. However, those with a history of C. trachomatis infection and familiar with its complications were more interested in purchasing a home test. Although 100% of the respondents reported that they would follow-up with their physician if they tested positive, past behavior suggests that partner notification might be suboptimal.