Identified attributes of STI testing services – individual factors
| Individual factors4 6 8–12 19–21 29 38–44 48 55–57 59 62 63 65–67 69–71 74 | ||
| Attribute | Themes from the studies* | No. of studies (%) |
| Knowledge of STIs | Knowledge about STI/motivation to test (+)19 42 | 2 (3) |
| Lack of knowledge about STIs & complications (–)4 6 11 21 42 44 65 | 7 (11) | |
| Ease of testing procedure | Selftesting (+)29 40 70 71 | 4 (6) |
| Selftesting (–)39 74 | 2 (3) | |
| Testing experience | Pleasant experience (+)20 29 48 56 57 59 70 | 7 (11) |
| Unpleasant experience (–)4 9 11 | 3 (5) | |
| HCP initiating conversation or feeling intimidated (+)6 19 62 65 | 4 (6) | |
| Having to requests testing (–)8 43 | 2 (3) | |
| Previous experiences | Previous experience (+)12 42 59 | 3 (5) |
| Previous experience (–)9 11 | 2 (3) | |
| Individual attitudes/perceptions | Testing in response to risk incidents, unexpected symptoms, or part of sexual health routine (+)19 42 | 2 (3) |
| Felt HCP would approve of testing (+)29 | 1 (2) | |
| Feel obligated to test/protect themselves and partners (+)44 | 1 (2) | |
| Selfperceived low risk (–)4 6 20 21 38 43 63 65 69–71 | 11 (17) | |
| Not a priority to get tested (–)4 9 44 | 3 (5) | |
| Unaware of various types of samples/options used for testing (–)42 63 | 2 (3) | |
| Embarrassment | Embarrassment being asked to test for STIs (–)55 | 1 (2) |
| Feeling embarrassed during consult (–)4 5 10–12 44 63 65 | 8 (13) | |
| Fear | Fear and lack of testing among peers (–)11 | 1 (2) |
| Fear of positive result/having to tell previous partners (–)6 44 55 66 | 3 (5) | |
| Fear of impact on reputation (–)41 65 | 2 (3) | |
| Barriers | Not aware of testing locations (–)8 9 12 39 65 | 5 (8) |
(−): study reported this as a non-preferred attribute.
(+): study reported this as a preferred attribute.
*There may be some overlap between themes in various attributes.
HPC, healthcare professional.