SMS-STDs: UK Study Examines Use of Text Messaging in STD Reporting

A UK study, published in the journal Sexually Transmitted Infections (subscription required) , looked at the use of text messaging in reporting STD results to individuals who attended a sexual health clinic for screening.

The sexual health clinic that participated in the six month study, offered people coming in for STD testing the choice of receiving their results by text message, telephone, or returning to the clinic. Positive results were not given via text message; instead people would receive one of three possible messages:

• “All your results are negative.”
• “Please ring the clinic.”
• “Please come back to the clinic.”

Overall the findings suggest that people who received text messages responded to, and got treatment, faster than those in the other two groups. The study also points out the cost benefits of using text messaging, which requires far less time than calling individuals to report results.

Given that the majority of results are negative this may be a practical and cost efficent way to deliver negative STD results. But there are also many privacy and safety issues not addressed in the study that would need to be considered.

While its reasonable to think that someone would be less distressed by the news of a positive result for Chlamydia (which is what was used in the study) than HIV, individual differences, as well as the timing and circumstances of receiving test results, should still be considered. Even if they aren’t sending messages indicating positive test results, the message is still, to an extent, clear. The only good news is news that comes with the word “negative”.

But it’s an interesting idea and nice to see another example of sexual health service providers thinking creatively about the way technology can enhance sexual health provision.

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