Frequently asked questions
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Who can take part?
The offer is available to men and women aged 16 and above who have had sex with three or more people over the past 12 months. Please do not take part (yet) if you have taken an antibiotic in the last 6 weeks. What does this involve for me? In taking up this free offer, you provide us with anonymous data on your sexual behaviour and your test results. Filling out the anonymous questionnaire will take you about 15 minutes; a further 15 minutes are planned for the subsequent test and counselling. To receive further free test packages, we would ask you to come to one of the test centres participating in the study every six months. How do I take part? You receive a study card listing your study number. Don't lose your card! The card is essential for obtaining your study results and also for the follow-up tests. For those taking part in the study, regular visits are scheduled every six months. The next appointment is noted on your study card each time. If, in the meantime, you have symptoms that could be associated with a sexually transmitted infection, you can have your next follow-up appointment brought forward. Is my anonymity guaranteed? Participation is voluntary and anonymous. For the study, we work solely with an automatically allocated number. None of the samples (blood samples or smears) are marked with your name but simply with the allocated number and the designation "man" or "woman". The scientists working with your data are only informed of this number, your year of birth, your postcode and the canton you live in. After they have been tested, the blood samples and smears are kept by our partner laboratory for one year for any confirmation tests that may be required and then destroyed. How do I get my test results? Since the study attaches great importance to anonymity, the results will not be sent to you; instead you are asked to contact the test centre in person one week after the test so that you can request your results on the basis of your study card. We are unable to give you any results unless you present your study card. This measure is designed to protect your anonymity. |
Benefits, risks and costs:
Participation in this study allows you to be tested anonymously for sexually transmitted infections (STI) without having to pay for the tests. Participation in this study requires a blood sample to be taken as well as a throat, urethral and anal smear. These tests will be conducted by trained and experienced professionals, in order to keep the associated discomfort to a minimum. Alternatively, you can perform the anal or vaginal smear yourself with the aid of written instructions. As you will know from routine check-ups, when blood samples are taken, the insertion of the needle can be slightly painful and a small bruise may develop. You will not be exposed to any risks through the tests carried out with your blood in the laboratory. All the laboratory tests necessary for this study are free of charge for you. Neither you nor your health insurance will incur additional costs in conjunction with your participation in the study. No compensation will otherwise be paid for your participation in the study. In the event of a positive test result, you can receive counselling and treatment directly from the test centre or from a different medical institution in accordance with the normal standards (self-payer or upon presentation of your health insurance card). The treatment and after-care do not, however, form part of this study. Do I always have to come to the same place to be tested? No. The offer is available throughout Switzerland. The test centres taking part in the study are listed below. You can only ask for your test results, however, at the test centre where the test was conducted. How long is this offer available? The study is running until the end of 2017 or until the necessary number of study participants has been achieved. Up until then, you can make use of our free offer up to a maximum of three times. Can I terminate my participation? You may terminate your participation at any time without giving reasons. The data that has already been collected anonymously will be further used but your biological samples will be destroyed immediately. |
Contact
If anything is not clear, or if you have questions or problems in conjunction with the study, you may get in touch with the contact below at any time:
Dr. med. A.J. Schmidt MPH
Internal Medicine Departement, Infectious Diseases Clinic
Cantonal Hospital St.Gallen, Rorschacherstr. 95, Building 22, 9007 St.Gallen
Tel.: 071 494 10 28 (office hours)
E-mail: star-trial@infekt.ch
STI-Testing of Asymptomatics at Risk (STAR) Trial
Dr. med. A.J. Schmidt MPH
Internal Medicine Departement, Infectious Diseases Clinic
Cantonal Hospital St.Gallen, Rorschacherstr. 95, Building 22, 9007 St.Gallen
Tel.: 071 494 10 28 (office hours)
E-mail: star-trial@infekt.ch
STI-Testing of Asymptomatics at Risk (STAR) Trial
List of currently participating centres
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Checkpoint Vaud
Rue du Pont 22 1003 Lausanne Tel. 021 631 01 76 Checkpoint Basel Clarastrasse 4 4058 Basel Tel. 061 685 95 58 Checkpoint Bern Monbijoustrasse 32 3011 Bern Tel. 031 390 36 46 Checkpoint Zürich Konradstrasse 1 8005 Zürich Tel. 044 455 59 10 Universitätsklinik für Infektiologie Inselspital Polikliniktrakt 2, Geschoss B, Eingang 29 3010 Bern Tel. 031 632 25 25 |
Kantonsspital St. Gallen
Infektiologie, Haus 22 9007 St. Gallen Tel. 071 494 10 28 Maria Magdalena Friedaustrasse 1 9000 St. Gallen Tel. 058 229 21 67 Fondation PROFA - Consultation Santé Sexuelle Avenue de Georgette 1 1003 Lausanne Tél. 021 631 01 42 Alternatives: Aigle, Morges, Nyon, Payerne, Renens, Vevey, Yverdon Städtische Gesundheitsdienste Zürich (Only for clients of this clinic) Ambulatorium Kanonengasse Gynäkologische Sprechstunde Kanonengasse 18 8004 Zürich Tel. 044 415 76 06 Aids-Hilfe beider Basel AHbB Clarastrasse 4 4058 Basel Tel. 061 685 25 07 |