Automated, Computer Generated Reminders and Increased Detection of Gonorrhoea, Chlamydia and Syphilis in Men Who Have Sex with Men

Abstract

Background:Guidelines recommend frequent screening of men who have sex with men (MSM) for sexually transmissible infections (STIs) but few interventions have demonstrated increased testing and detection of bacterial STIs among MSM in controlled studies.Methods:We used automated text message and email reminders generated by computer assisted self-interview (CASI) to remind MSM to retest for syphilis. We compared clinic visits, STI testing and detection rates over 12 month between men receiving reminders (reminder group) and men not offered the reminders (concurrent control group).Results:Men who chose 3-monthly reminders had more clinic visits (median 3 vs 1) and higher testing rates for phar..