ASSIST: Assessing the impact of online self-sampling for STIs & HIV v1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Assessing the impact of introducing online postal self-sampling for sexually transmitted infections into sexual health provision within the UK on health inequalities, access to care and clinical outcomes (ASSIST)
IRAS ID
295506
Contact name
Fiona Burns
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
UCL
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 6 months, 31 days
Research summary
Assessing the impact of online postal self-sampling (OPSS) for STIs and HIV
We want to determine if OPSS services (whereby people order a kit online, take their own sample and post it back) improve access to sexual health care and benefit those most in need. We want to discover how people who use and provide these services feel about them, the economic impact of introducing them, and determine the overall societal benefit, or otherwise, of this approach to sexual health care. Service commissioners and providers who deliver sexual health will benefit through greater understanding of this model of care. The findings will help develop national quality measures and standards of care for online sexual health services.
Sexual health is important for building a healthy society, and STI treatment is costly to the NHS. Young people, those living in more deprived areas, gay men and people from ethnic minorities are more affected by poor sexual health. Many STIs are rising, yet funding has reduced. As a result, services have found new ways to deliver care, including ordering testing kits online which can be used at home. The hope is that these online services are cost effective and increase access to testing, particularly among groups most at risk. If so, this would have the added benefit of reducing existing health inequalities.
We are focusing on three areas (Birmingham, Glasgow, London) which provide an excellent cross section of our population. We will look at key documents, interview service users and staff, and consider national, clinic and online service data. Alongside this, we will undertake an economic evaluation. Synthesising these data will enable us to understand the pros and cons of online postal self-sampling, and the work required for implementing, integrating and embedding online postal self-sampling services into routine practice.
REC name
South Central - Berkshire B Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
21/SC/0223
Date of REC Opinion
30 Jul 2021
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion