Client feedback and satisfaction with an express STI screening service at an inner city sexual health centre
Sydney Sexual Health Centre (SSHC) commenced an express STI clinic (Xpress) for asymptomatic clients in March 2010, utilising CASI and self-collected samples. Client feedback and satisfaction was assessed over 6 months and comparisons made between priority groups. This was a cross sectional study questionnaire. Results were stratified by gender, MSM status, age (<25/>25) and sex work.
Of the 243 clients who attended Xpress, 145 (60%) returned questionnaires. Significantly more Australian-born clients responded to the survey than overseas-born clients (77% vs 60% p=0.013), but otherwise demographics of responders were similar to non-responders. Reasons for choosing Xpress included not wanting to wait long (30%) and not wanting a long consultation (12%), but the majority (47%) chose Xpress because staff offered it. 68% would have definitely attended SSHC even if Xpress was not available 70% considered that they would test more frequently for STIs using the Xpress model. Using a 5-point Likert scale, 94% of clients reported being very satisfied or satisfied with the CASI, 73% with no examination, 76% with self-collected swabs, and 91% with the time taken. 82% would come to Xpress again and 84% would recommend it to friends.
Sex workers were more likely to be dissatisfied with no examination than non-sex workers (25% vs 5% p=0.033). Only 53% of those <25 years old would have attended SSHC anyway vs 78% of those >25 (p=0.012), similarly 77% of MSM would have attended SSHC anyway compared to 66% of non-MSM (p=0.034). All other analyses by age, MSM status, gender and sex work were non significant.
The majority of clients reported high satisfaction with all aspects of the Xpress clinic and high intentions to retest using this model of care. Innovative screening practices for asymptomatic clients may facilitate regular screening in priority groups and increase efficiency of clinical services.
