A service evaluation comparing home-based testing to clinic-based testing for HIV, syphilis and hepatitis B in Birmingham and Solihull.

The sexual health services in the Birmingham and Solihull area of the United Kingdom, called Umbrella, has been offering home-based testing for sexually transmitted infections to patients since August 2015. The aim of this service evaluation was to evaluate the uptake, return rate and new diagnosis rates of home-based testing in comparison with clinic-based testing for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), syphilis (STS) and hepatitis B. Home-based testing, although popular, had low uptake amongst high-risk groups such as men who have sex with men (MSM), compared to the clinic-based group (1% versus 11%, p < 0.

A service evaluation comparing home-based testing to clinic-based testing for Chlamydia and gonorrhoea in Birmingham and Solihull.

Home-based testing is an alternative, convenient and cost-effective method of testing for sexually transmitted infections compared to traditional clinic-based testing, in patients who are asymptomatic and, or, would otherwise feel stigmatised about attending sexual health clinics. The sexual health service in Birmingham and Solihull, called Umbrella, provides an online home-based testing service, which has been in operation since August 2015. The aim of this study was to evaluate the uptake and return rate of home-based testing kits and compare home-based testing to clinic-based testing in terms of diagnosis and treatment rates of Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (GC).