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A Web—Based Respondent Driven Sampling Pilot Targeting Young People at Risk for Chlamydia Trachomatis in Social and Sexual Networks with Testing: A Use Evaluation

Author

Listed:
  • Kevin Theunissen

    (Department of Sexual Health, Infectious Diseases and Environmental Health, South Limburg Public Health Services, 6160 HA, Geleen, The Netherlands)

  • Christian Hoebe

    (Department of Sexual Health, Infectious Diseases and Environmental Health, South Limburg Public Health Services, 6160 HA, Geleen, The Netherlands
    Department of Medical Microbiology, School for Public Health and Primary Care (CAPHRI), Maastricht University Medical Centre (MUMC+), 6202 AZ Maastricht, The Netherlands)

  • Gerjo Kok

    (Department of Work & Social Psychology, Maastricht University, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands)

  • Rik Crutzen

    (Department of Health Promotion, School for Public Health and Primary Care (CAPHRI), Maastricht University Medical Centre (MUMC), Maastricht 6202 AZ, The Netherlands)

  • Chakib Kara-Zaïtri

    (Faculty of Engineering and Informatics. University of Bradford, Bradford BD7 1DP, UK)

  • Nanne De Vries

    (Department of Health Promotion, School for Public Health and Primary Care (CAPHRI), Maastricht University Medical Centre (MUMC), Maastricht 6202 AZ, The Netherlands)

  • Jan Van Bergen

    (Centre for Infectious Disease Control, RIVM National Institute of Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven 3720 BA, The Netherlands
    STI AIDS Netherlands, Amsterdam 1016 GB, The Netherlands
    Department of General Practice, AMC-University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam 1105 AZ, The Netherlands)

  • Robert Hamilton

    (In-Fact, Bradford BD17 7DB, UK)

  • Marianne Van der Sande

    (Centre for Infectious Disease Control, RIVM National Institute of Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven 3720 BA, The Netherlands
    Julius Centre for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht 3508 GA, The Netherlands)

  • Nicole Dukers-Muijrers

    (Department of Sexual Health, Infectious Diseases and Environmental Health, South Limburg Public Health Services, 6160 HA, Geleen, The Netherlands
    Department of Medical Microbiology, School for Public Health and Primary Care (CAPHRI), Maastricht University Medical Centre (MUMC+), 6202 AZ Maastricht, The Netherlands)

Abstract

Background: With the aim of targeting high-risk hidden heterosexual young people for Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) testing, an innovative web-based screening strategy using Respondent Driven Sampling (RDS) and home-based CT testing, was developed, piloted and evaluated. Methods: Two STI clinic nurses encouraged 37 CT positive heterosexual young people (aged 16–25 years), called index clients, to recruit peers from their social and sexual networks using the web-based screening strategy. Eligible peers (young, living in the study area) could request a home-based CT test and recruit other peers. Results: Twelve (40%) index clients recruited 35 peers. Two of these peers recruited other peers (n = 7). In total, 35 recruited peers were eligible for participation; ten of them (29%) requested a test and eight tested. Seven tested for the first time and one (13%) was positive. Most peers were female friends (80%). Nurses were positive about using the strategy. Conclusions: The screening strategy is feasible for targeting the hidden social network. However, uptake among men and recruitment of sex-partners is low and RDS stopped early. Future studies are needed to explore the sustainability, cost-effectiveness, and impact of strategies that target people at risk who are not effectively reached by regular health care.

Suggested Citation

  • Kevin Theunissen & Christian Hoebe & Gerjo Kok & Rik Crutzen & Chakib Kara-Zaïtri & Nanne De Vries & Jan Van Bergen & Robert Hamilton & Marianne Van der Sande & Nicole Dukers-Muijrers, 2015. "A Web—Based Respondent Driven Sampling Pilot Targeting Young People at Risk for Chlamydia Trachomatis in Social and Sexual Networks with Testing: A Use Evaluation," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(8), pages 1-18, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:12:y:2015:i:8:p:9889-9906:d:54505
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