Background:
A website (www.iwantthekit.org) offering C. trachomatis screening and education provided women the opportunity to obtain a home-sampling kit for self-collecting vaginal specimens.

Objective:
To determine risk history in infected and uninfected women who used the home-sampling kit.

Method:
From July 2004 to Dec 2005, 567 women returned self-collected vaginal specimens by mail; swabs were tested by NAATs. The kit included a questionnaire, which could also be taken on the website. Questionnaire data from infected and un-infected women were analyzed for sexual risk behavior.

Result:
A total of 8.8% (50/567) were chlamydia positive. Analysis of 567 participants demonstrated that of infected women, 68% and 48% reported having multiple or a new partner, respectively, compared to 3.2% and 5.0%, respectively, of the uninfected women. Of all women, 15.4% reported >4 partners in the previous year (20% of infected women compared to 15% of un-infected women). Median age at first sex for infected women was 15 yr (range 11-26 yr) compared to 16 yr (range 8-39 yr) for uninfected women. Condom use among the infected women was reported as: always 16%, never 14%, most of the time 50%, some of the time 18%, compared to uninfected women: always 12.2%, never 20.6%, most of the time 34.7%, some of the time 29.7%. Oral sex and anal sex were reported by 72.9% and 38.8%, respectively, by infected women compared to 90.7% and 29.2%, respectively, for uninfected women. Previous chlamydia infection was reported by 28.6% of infected women and 37.4% of uninfected women.

Conclusion:
The Internet-based screening program reached a group of women, who reported high-risk sexual behavior, regardless of their infection status for chlamydia.

Implications:
Internet-based screening programs are an effective tool for recruiting women at risk for chlamydia. The anonymity and privacy afforded may enhance veracity and participation.