“Test n Treat”: a feasibility trial of rapid STI testing and treatment
Research type
Research Study
Full title
“Test n Treat (TnT)”: a cluster randomised feasibility trial of frequent, rapid testing and same day on-site treatment to reduce rates of chlamydia and gonorrhoea in high risk Further Education college students
IRAS ID
188077
Contact name
Pippa Oakeshott
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
St George's, University of London
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 11 months, 28 days
Research summary
Chlamydia and gonorrhoea are sexually transmitted infections affecting 150,000 young people in England and costing over £100 million each year. But uptake of testing (<30% annually) is too low to reduce infection rates, and there are often delays in treatment. Bringing new rapid 90 minute chlamydia/gonorrhoea tests and on-site treatment (“TnT=Test n Treat”) to the community might get more people treated faster. This could reduce infection rates and serious complications like infertility, and save NHS costs.
Aims
To conduct a feasibility trial (over one academic year) of frequent, rapid TnT in Further Education (FE) colleges to assess:1. Rates of recruitment, TnT uptake and follow up
2. Acceptability of TnT to students and staff (from qualitative interviews)
3. Cost of TnT
4. Infection rates
What we will do
We will recruit six London FE colleges where we know the rate of chlamydia/gonorrhoea is high (≥8%). At each college we will recruit 80 sexually active students aged 16-24 years. Colleges will be randomly allocated to either intervention (TnT) or usual care (no TnT). We will re-visit intervention colleges in the autumn and spring terms to offer study participants TnT, with results within two hours. A visiting nurse health adviser will provide same day antibiotic treatment, partner notification and advice to infected students.
In the summer term we will ask participants from ALL colleges to provide samples for testing.Patient and public involvement
Our user group of 10 students are enthusiastic about TnT. They will continue advising the researchers.Dissemination
Users will help with publications and presentations to patients, health professionals and policy makers.Patient benefit
If findings lead to a main trial which shows TnT is acceptable, cost effective and reduces chlamydia/gonorrhoea rates, implementing TnT in the community could improve the sexual health of many hard to reach young people.REC name
London - Bromley Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/LO/1929
Date of REC Opinion
21 Dec 2015
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion