Barriers to effective STI screening in a post-Soviet society: results from a qualitative study

A Uusküla; K Kangur; L A McNutt

doi:10.1136/sti.2005.019000

BMJ

The flagship general medical journal, published since 1840, updated daily online, weekly in print and on the iPad.

BMJ Journals

BMJ Journals division publishes over 40 journals across a broad range of specialties.

BMJ Journals

studentBMJ

An international medical journal written for students by students.

Student BMJ

Jobs

BMJ Careers

BMJ Careers makes it easy for you to find the right job with the latest healthcare vacancies, upcoming careers fairs, advice on choosing the right specialty, pay and working conditions.

18-19 October 2013 at the Business Design Centre in Islington, London. Register here

BMJ Careers Fair

Advanced search

An international peer-reviewed journal for health professionals and researchers in all areas of sexual health

Home
> Volume 82, Issue 4
> Article

Sex Transm Infect

2006;82:323-326 doi:10.1136/sti.2005.019000

In practice

Barriers to effective STI screening in a post-Soviet society: results from a qualitative study

¹Department of Public Health, University of Tartu, Estonia
²Department of Sociology, University of Tartu, Estonia
³Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, State University of New York, Albany, NY, USA

Correspondence to:  Anneli Uusküla  Department of Public Health, University of Tartu, Ravila 19, Tartu 50409, Estonia; anneli.uuskula{at}ut.ee

Accepted 8 April 2006

Abstract

Objective: This qualitative study assesses knowledge about sexually transmitted infections (STI), identifies perceived barriers to STI testing, and recommends strategies to optimise participation in a home based STI testing programme.

Methods: Five focus groups composed of 29 total participants were recruited using convenience sampling methods based on age (18–40 years), gender (male and female), and residency (Tartu region, Estonia).

Results: The focus groups revealed significant knowledge deficits and a widespread attitude of denial. However, participants acknowledged that STIs are a serious problem and recommended strategies for increasing participation in an STI testing and treatment programme. Successful STI prevention programmes must address a number of challenges, including disease stigmatisation and privacy protection.

Conclusion: The fear of enforced disease control methods coupled with the current stigmatisation of STIs creates a serious challenge for Estonian STI prevention and treatment efforts. This qualitative study provides a good contextual reference for STI control programmes in eastern Europe.