| Title: |
Implementing an Online Sexually Transmitted Infection Testing Service for Young People in Regional and Rural Victoria, Australia: Insights From Local Public Health Authorities |
| Authors: |
Ware, L; McGrath, M; Walsh, O; Cardwell, ET; Tomnay, J; Evans, D; Kelly, AM; Ong, JJ; Hocking, JS; Kong, FYS; Ludwick, T |
| Publisher Information: |
Wiley |
| Publication Year: |
2025 |
| Collection: |
The University of Melbourne: Digital Repository |
| Description: |
Objective: This study investigated local public health authorities' perspectives on implementing a new online STI testing service for young people in regional/rural Victoria, Australia. Setting: Study was conducted to support the design of Test it, a free, online STI testing service being developed for Victoria. After completing an online registration and sexual health questionnaire, users receive an electronic test request form to take directly to a pathology centre without seeing a general practitioner (GP). Participants: Ten individuals responsible for the coordination of community sexual health services within 7 Victorian Local Public Health Units (LPHUs) and the Department of Health, and a state-wide health promotion organisation. Design: Semi-structured interview topics covered: attitudes towards online STI testing, advantages and challenges of online STI testing for regional and rural communities, and strategies to support effective implementation. Results: Participants were enthusiastic about the potential of an online STI testing service, perceiving it to offer options in settings with limited sexual health providers, provide users with greater anonymity (bypassing GPs), improve efficiency, and support LPHUs to deliver their priorities. However, needing to attend a pathology service in-person may reduce appeal and create barriers given limited transport/opening hours and stigmatisation concerns by young people. Navigating treatment, if needed, may also be challenging. Conclusion: Despite offering advantages, regional/rural young people are likely to encounter barriers to online STI testing that are different from and more significant than those faced by young people in urban areas. Strategies are needed to support implementation in regional/rural areas to realise the full potential of online testing to improve equitable access for underserved communities. |
| Document Type: |
article in journal/newspaper |
| Language: |
English |
| ISSN: |
1038-5282 |
| Relation: |
Ware, L., McGrath, M., Walsh, O., Cardwell, E. T., Tomnay, J., Evans, D., Kelly, A. M., Ong, J. J., Hocking, J. S., Kong, F. Y. S. & Ludwick, T. (2025). Implementing an Online Sexually Transmitted Infection Testing Service for Young People in Regional and Rural Victoria, Australia: Insights From Local Public Health Authorities. Australian Journal of Rural Health, 33 (5), https://doi.org/10.1111/ajr.70092.; https://hdl.handle.net/11343/362479 |
| Availability: |
https://hdl.handle.net/11343/362479 |
| Rights: |
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0 ; CC BY |
| Accession Number: |
edsbas.B1E16F78 |
| Database: |
BASE |