Open AccessBarriers to sexually transmitted infection testing in New Zealand: a qualitative study
Author(s) -
Denison Hayley J.,
Bromhead Collette,
Grainger Rebecca,
Dennison Elaine M.,
Jutel Annemarie
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
australian and new zealand journal of public health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.946
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1753-6405
pISSN - 1326-0200
DOI - 10.1111/1753-6405.12680
Subject(s) - qualitative research , test (biology) , medicine , qualitative property , set (abstract data type) , nursing , psychology , sociology , social science , paleontology , machine learning , computer science , biology , programming language
Abstract Objective: To investigate the barriers that prevent or delay people seeking a sexually transmitted infection (STI) test. Methods: Qualitative in‐depth interviews were conducted with 24 university students, who are a group prone to behaviours putting them at risk of STIs, to understand the factors that had prevented or delayed them from going for an STI test in the past. Resulting data were thematically analysed employing a qualitative content analysis method, and a final set of themes identified. Results: There were three main types of barrier to STI testing. These were: personal (underestimating risk, perceiving STIs as not serious, fear of invasive procedure, self‐consciousness in genital examination and being too busy); structural (financial cost of test and clinician attributes and attitude); and social (concern of being stigmatised). Conclusions and implications for public health: These data will help health providers and policy‐makers provide services that minimise barriers and develop effective strategies for improving STI testing rates. The results of this study suggest a holistic approach to encouraging testing is required, which includes addressing personal beliefs, working with healthcare providers to minimise structural barriers and developing initiatives to change social views about STIs.