Table 1.

Literature Review.

Publication title	Authors	Year of publication	Focus/aim	Research method	Data source	Study population/sample size	Findings	Theme
Creating Innovative Sexually Transmitted Infection Testing Options for University Students: The Impact of an STI Self-testing Program	Habel, M.A., Brookmeyer, K.A., Oliver-Veronesi, R., Haffner, M.M.	2018	To analyze CT/GC testing data, assess the acceptability of a self-testing program, and explore trends and positivity.	Observational study with a comparative analysis of clinician- initiated testing and self-testing over two years.	- Laboratory data on CT/GC testing. - Self-administered survey using PDA- based Qualtrics.	Undergraduate college students enrolled in a large university in a rural geographical area. - 2013: 1,014 male and 2,711 female students tested for CT/GC. - 2015: 1,303 male and 3,082 female students tested.	Self-testing significantly increased CT/GC testing positivity among male students from 2013 to 2015, with 31% opting for it. Female students were more likely to test positive than those using clinician testing. Self-testing was particularly popular among male students, and students reported high satisfaction with the program (96.3%).	Facilitator(s): accessibility, convenience, comfort with self-testing, and privacy Barrier(s): perceived safety and low STI risk concerns about accuracy, stigma around STI testing
Rural College Students’ Amenability Toward Using At-Home Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Sexually Transmitted Infection Testing Kits	Hubach, R.D., Mahaffey, C., Rhoads, K., O’Neill, A.M., Ernst, C., Bui, L.X., Hamrick, J., Giano, Z.	2021	Explore barriers and facilitators to HIV/STI testing among rural college students, the feasibility of at-home testing, and preferred logistical methods for receiving and returning at-home testing kits.	Cross-sectional study.	Online survey questionnaire.	Undergraduate students at a rural state-funded institution - 5,000 invited, 505 accessed survey, 365 completed it, 326 in final analytical sample.	Many students believe they don’t need testing due to being in committed relationships and have low-risk perceptions, lack of knowledge about testing sites, limited free time, insurance coverage concerns, cost barriers, fear of judgment, emotional distress, and confidentiality concerns. They prefer environments that are affirming and convenient, with comfort with a known healthcare provider increasing the likelihood of testing. At-home testing reduces anxiety related to visiting clinics, while in-person testing at a clinic with healthcare provider interaction increases intention. Concerns about test accuracy, potential user error, and clear instructions also influence preferences.
Exploring What Influences of Heterosexual College Men and the Practice of Safe Sex: The Power of Stigma and community	Breny, J.M., Joseph, M., Robledo, D., Rondeau, D., D’Haity, W., Mucha, J., Zapata, P.	2023	To explore the sources of messages that young college men receive regarding safe sex responsibility and sexual decision-making, and how these messages influence their behaviors. The ultimate goal is to inform the development of more effective health promotion programming.	Community- Based Participatory Research (CBPR) with a mixed-methods design.	Surveys and focus groups.	Young adult college men- 6 public health students, 135 male survey respondents, 17 focus group participants.	The study found that 74.1% of participants had sex without a condom, and 66.7% did not consistently use condoms. Non-use was primarily due to alternate birth control, undesirability, and partner preference. 59.3% never tested for STIs, and 60% believed condoms reduced sexual pleasure. The main themes were poor quality condoms, greater concern about pregnancy, lack of awareness, and stigma surrounding STI testing.
College students’ comfort with and intention to use self- collection services for STI testing	Lindley, L.L., Shariff, Chowdhury, T.	2022	Assess college students’ perceptions, comfort, and intention to use self-collection options for STI testing and determine students’ questions or concerns prior to offering these services on campus.	Cross-sectional study.	Online survey via Qualtrics.	Students aged 18 years and older from a large, mid-Atlantic, public university - 434 completed responses out of 504 initiated surveys.	Significant associations between students’ comfort/intention to use self-collection services and their age, perceived STI risk, and previous HIV/STI testing experience. High interest in take-home STI testing kits, particularly among those perceiving low risk.