The impact of STI test results and face-to-face consultations on subsequent behavior and psychological characteristics

Daphne A van Wees; Meggie M C M Drissen; Chantal den Daas; Titia Heijman; Mirjam E E Kretzschmar; Janneke C M Heijne

doi:10.1016/j.ypmed.2020.106200

The impact of STI test results and face-to-face consultations on subsequent behavior and psychological characteristics

Daphne A van Wees^* (Corresponding Author)
, Meggie M C M Drissen
, Chantal den Daas
, Titia Heijman
, Mirjam E E Kretzschmar
, Janneke C M Heijne

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

11 Citations (Scopus)

5 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing without face-to-face counselling is increasingly offered at sexual health centers (SHC), and ordering self-sampling tests online is becoming more popular. However, the impact of testing without counselling on behavior is unknown. We examine the impact of STI testing with and without consultation and the combined effect of a positive test result and treatment consultation, on behavioral and psychological characteristics over time. Data from a longitudinal study among heterosexual SHC visitors aged 18-24 years was used. The impact of a test consultation (participants who tested chlamydia negative with vs. without consultation) and treatment consultation/positive test result (participants who tested chlamydia positive vs. negative), was assessed by comparing behavioral and psychological characteristics before testing (baseline), and at three-week and six-month follow-up, using generalized estimating equation models. Changes after testing were similar between participants who tested chlamydia negative with and without test consultation, namely decreased risk perception, shame, number of partners, and increased knowledge. However, participants who tested chlamydia positive reported stronger increases in health goals and intentions towards condom use, and stronger decreases in the number of partners and stigma, compared to participants who tested negative. Furthermore, condom use increased in chlamydia positive, and decreased in chlamydia negative participants. A treatment consultation/positive test result had a risk-reducing impact on behavioral and psychological characteristics, whereas the impact of a test consultation was limited. Since the majority of young heterosexuals test chlamydia negative, alternative interventions (e.g., online) achieving risk-reducing behavior change targeted to individuals who tested negative are needed.

Original language	English
Article number	106200
Number of pages	8
Journal	Preventive Medicine
Volume	139
Early online date	17 Jul 2020
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ypmed.2020.106200
Publication status	Published - 1 Oct 2020

Bibliographical note

Acknowledgments
The authors would like to thank Maarten Schipper at the Biostatistics Department at the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, who provided assistance with the statistical analyses. Furthermore, the authors are grateful to the staff at the SHC of Amsterdam, Kennemerland, Hollands Noorden, Twente (especially Karin Westra, Anne de Vries, and Karlijn Kampman) who were involved in the recruitment and data collection of participants at baseline and to Marlous Ratten and Klazien Visser from Soapoli-online, who coordinated the laboratory testing of the home-based test kits at six-month follow-up. The authors would also like to thank the staff at the STI department at the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, especially Birgit van Benthem.

Funding

This work was funded by the Strategic Programme (SPR) of the Netherlands National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (project number S/113004/01/IP). The funders had no role in study design, data collection, data analysis, data interpretation, or preparation of the manuscript.

Funders
Strategic Programme (SPR) of the Netherlands National Institute for Public Health

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being

Keywords

Chlamydia Infections/diagnosis
Humans
Longitudinal Studies
Referral and Consultation
Sexual Behavior
Sexually Transmitted Diseases/diagnosis

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VanWees_etal_PM_The_Impact_Of_VoR
© 2020 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/BY-NC-ND/4.0/
Final published version, 227 KBLicence: CC BY-NC-ND

Cite this

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title = "The impact of STI test results and face-to-face consultations on subsequent behavior and psychological characteristics",

abstract = "Sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing without face-to-face counselling is increasingly offered at sexual health centers (SHC), and ordering self-sampling tests online is becoming more popular. However, the impact of testing without counselling on behavior is unknown. We examine the impact of STI testing with and without consultation and the combined effect of a positive test result and treatment consultation, on behavioral and psychological characteristics over time. Data from a longitudinal study among heterosexual SHC visitors aged 18-24 years was used. The impact of a test consultation (participants who tested chlamydia negative with vs. without consultation) and treatment consultation/positive test result (participants who tested chlamydia positive vs. negative), was assessed by comparing behavioral and psychological characteristics before testing (baseline), and at three-week and six-month follow-up, using generalized estimating equation models. Changes after testing were similar between participants who tested chlamydia negative with and without test consultation, namely decreased risk perception, shame, number of partners, and increased knowledge. However, participants who tested chlamydia positive reported stronger increases in health goals and intentions towards condom use, and stronger decreases in the number of partners and stigma, compared to participants who tested negative. Furthermore, condom use increased in chlamydia positive, and decreased in chlamydia negative participants. A treatment consultation/positive test result had a risk-reducing impact on behavioral and psychological characteristics, whereas the impact of a test consultation was limited. Since the majority of young heterosexuals test chlamydia negative, alternative interventions (e.g., online) achieving risk-reducing behavior change targeted to individuals who tested negative are needed.",

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note = "Acknowledgments The authors would like to thank Maarten Schipper at the Biostatistics Department at the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, who provided assistance with the statistical analyses. Furthermore, the authors are grateful to the staff at the SHC of Amsterdam, Kennemerland, Hollands Noorden, Twente (especially Karin Westra, Anne de Vries, and Karlijn Kampman) who were involved in the recruitment and data collection of participants at baseline and to Marlous Ratten and Klazien Visser from Soapoli-online, who coordinated the laboratory testing of the home-based test kits at six-month follow-up. The authors would also like to thank the staff at the STI department at the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, especially Birgit van Benthem.",

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AU - Kretzschmar, Mirjam E E

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N1 - Acknowledgments The authors would like to thank Maarten Schipper at the Biostatistics Department at the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, who provided assistance with the statistical analyses. Furthermore, the authors are grateful to the staff at the SHC of Amsterdam, Kennemerland, Hollands Noorden, Twente (especially Karin Westra, Anne de Vries, and Karlijn Kampman) who were involved in the recruitment and data collection of participants at baseline and to Marlous Ratten and Klazien Visser from Soapoli-online, who coordinated the laboratory testing of the home-based test kits at six-month follow-up. The authors would also like to thank the staff at the STI department at the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, especially Birgit van Benthem.

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N2 - Sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing without face-to-face counselling is increasingly offered at sexual health centers (SHC), and ordering self-sampling tests online is becoming more popular. However, the impact of testing without counselling on behavior is unknown. We examine the impact of STI testing with and without consultation and the combined effect of a positive test result and treatment consultation, on behavioral and psychological characteristics over time. Data from a longitudinal study among heterosexual SHC visitors aged 18-24 years was used. The impact of a test consultation (participants who tested chlamydia negative with vs. without consultation) and treatment consultation/positive test result (participants who tested chlamydia positive vs. negative), was assessed by comparing behavioral and psychological characteristics before testing (baseline), and at three-week and six-month follow-up, using generalized estimating equation models. Changes after testing were similar between participants who tested chlamydia negative with and without test consultation, namely decreased risk perception, shame, number of partners, and increased knowledge. However, participants who tested chlamydia positive reported stronger increases in health goals and intentions towards condom use, and stronger decreases in the number of partners and stigma, compared to participants who tested negative. Furthermore, condom use increased in chlamydia positive, and decreased in chlamydia negative participants. A treatment consultation/positive test result had a risk-reducing impact on behavioral and psychological characteristics, whereas the impact of a test consultation was limited. Since the majority of young heterosexuals test chlamydia negative, alternative interventions (e.g., online) achieving risk-reducing behavior change targeted to individuals who tested negative are needed.

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KW - Referral and Consultation

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KW - Sexually Transmitted Diseases/diagnosis

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JF - Preventive Medicine

M1 - 106200

ER -

The impact of STI test results and face-to-face consultations on subsequent behavior and psychological characteristics

Abstract

Bibliographical note

Funding

UN SDGs

Keywords

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