@article {Roth598, author = {Alexis Roth and Nguyen Khai Tran and Martha Chavis and Barbara Van Der Pol}, title = {Examining unmet needs: a cross-sectional study exploring knowledge, attitudes and sexually transmitted infection screening preferences among persons who inject drugs in Camden, New Jersey}, volume = {94}, number = {8}, pages = {598--603}, year = {2018}, doi = {10.1136/sextrans-2017-053498}, publisher = {The Medical Society for the Study of Venereal Disease}, abstract = {Objectives To inform the development of targeted sexually transmitted infection (STI) control programmes for persons who inject drugs (PWID).Methods We recruited 116 PWID (aged >= 18 years) from a community-based syringe exchange programme (SEP) and assessed their STI knowledge and screening preferences via technology assisted self-interview. We estimated prevalence of STI transmission knowledge, attitudes and screening preferences as well as the association between reported sexual behaviours (past 6 months) and willingness to self-collect specimens.Results Participants were white (77\%), female (51\%) and heterosexual (77\%). STI knowledge regarding transmission and testing was high among the sample. More than 70\% of participants were aware extragenital infections were possible and were least likely to know urine tests do not detect rectal infections (40.9\%). Site-specific specimen collection was highly reflective of reported sexual behaviour. PWID who reported receptive sex (36\% vs 5\%, p\<0.01) and insertive anal sex (31\% vs 6\%, p=0.01) were more likely to collect rectal specimens than those who did not. A similar trend was seen for oral sex performance on men and self-collection of oropharyngeal swabs (15\% vs 3\%, p=0.04). In addition, participants preferred collecting their own sample to having a clinician collect it for them (69\% vs 31\%, p\<0.01) and testing at the SEP compared with a STI clinic (86\% vs 14\%, p\<0.01).Conclusion Our findings suggest site-specific specimen collection may be a proxy for risk behaviour engagement in this fairly knowledgeable high-risk population. To increase case finding, STI control programmes should educate patients about site-specific screening and pair outreach with the infrastructure provided by SEPs, in settings where these programmes exist.}, issn = {1368-4973}, URL = {https://sti.bmj.com/content/94/8/598}, eprint = {https://sti.bmj.com/content/94/8/598.full.pdf}, journal = {Sexually Transmitted Infections} }