Development of An Innovative Web-Based Tailored Messaging System Aimed At Increasing College Students' Uptake and Submission of Self-Collected STD Specimens for Testing

Background:  Prior research has demonstrated the favorable acceptance by young adults to online ordering of STD collection kits and demonstrated   improved health seeking behaviors among those who received tailored messaging.    To date no results have been published that evaluate the effects of tailored messaging on rates of uptake and completion for on-line STD testing among college students.

Objectives:  Evaluate the effects of web-based tailored STD risk assessment and reduction messaging on acceptance and completion of STD testing. To evaluate the capacity to develop a sustainable encrypted multi-layered interface between students initiated on-line STD testing, confidential transport and processing by public health laboratory and  feedback communication to treatment provider and health department.

Methods: Randomized controlled trial conducted entirely online. Participants randomly assigned to tailored condition or a non-tailored generic condition. Prior to site exploration, participants complete pretest to determine current level of knowledge, attitudes on STDs, health behaviors and sexual risk taking. Those in treatment arm answer additional questions utilized to develop tailored messaging.  Post-test is completed after exploration of assigned condition. Participants are then provided a link to order a STD screening kit for chlamydia/gonorrhea /trichcomoniasis at no cost.

Results:  An entirely  web-based system was built to exchange encrypted HIPPA compliant files between university study systems , black box interface to department’s electronic ordering exchange. Additional confidential reporting interface was developed to allow students to access to their test results on-line and generate treatment referral to health center.  Enrollment for 1,000 participants opens October 24, 2011.

Conclusions: Interprofessional  collaboration between researchers, university health center and department of health has supported development of potentially sustainable pathway to increase  student initiated online STD Testing.

Implications for Programs, Policy, and Research: Innovative linkage between online  ordering  and tailored messaging may improve uptake of STD screening and encourage self-protective health seeking  behaviors among student’s away from their primary care provider.