Background Effective Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) control is being challenged by inadequate access to prompt diagnosis and treatment for patients and relatively poor community STI surveillance. This work forms part of a larger eSTI² (Electronic Self-Testing Instrument for Sexually Transmitted Infections) consortium developing diagnostic devices for pathogen detection and integrating point-of-care tests with mobile technology.

Aim(s)/Objective(s) Harnessing the widespread mobile phone use, this research develops innovative eSTI² technologies for reducing STIs transmission and providing greater personal control of sexual health. The aim of this study is to develop a wireless web-based management system that links chlamydia self-test diagnostics to further patient care pathways.

Methods This research adopts a user centred approach to the development of a Human Technology Interface for self-managing STI diagnosis. The research methodology begins primarily with initial exploratory pilot studies to gather functional and user requirements regarding ethical and regulatory requirements of the Human Technology Interface. Iterative development of functional prototypes exploring design possibilities and technology features will be followed by the formative evaluation of interface design through qualitative and controlled usability studies with target users.

Results In this paper we report on a user centred approach that allows for the successful capture and integration of social science methods to encapsulate user requirements with usability principles in order to develop an effective and user acceptable self-managing STI system.

Discussion and/or Conclusions Working in a cross-discipline collaboration the overall aim is to investigate the impact of user-centred methods in the design of innovative mobile phone and web technology based rapid testing.