At-Home Kits Double Health Screenings for NC Women

More than 300 North Carolina women just got easier access to health screenings that could save their lives, thanks to a simple kit they received in the mail.

Researchers at UNC School of Medicine sent self-collection testing kits to 327 low-income women across 22 counties who were overdue for cervical cancer screening. The kits tested for both HPV and sexually transmitted infections like chlamydia, gonorrhea, and trichomoniasis in one simple collection.

The results revealed a hidden health crisis. Nearly one in six women tested positive for an STI, matching the same rate as HPV infections. Two percent had both.

Dr. Anisha Ganguly, assistant professor at UNC School of Medicine, says the findings show what happens when you remove barriers to care. "By mailing women self-collection screening kits, we can identify STIs and HPV infection among women who face barriers to traditional clinic-based screening," she explained.

The women who participated face real obstacles to getting tested. Limited clinic access, time constraints, and discomfort with in-person exams often keep them from preventive care. These same barriers affect both cervical cancer screening and STI testing, making the combined approach especially valuable.

Among those who tested positive, about two-thirds received follow-up care. While researchers want that number higher, it still represents hundreds of women who might never have known about their infections otherwise.

The Ripple Effect

The impact goes beyond individual health outcomes. When underserved communities gain access to preventive care, health disparities begin to shrink across entire regions.

Professor Jennifer Smith from UNC's Gillings School notes their previous research found that mailing self-collection kits doubles cervical cancer screening rates. "These findings show that combining cervical cancer and STI testing is not only feasible, but also acceptable," she said.

The women themselves confirmed this approach works for them. More than 80% said they'd prefer future tests to screen for both conditions at the same time. One kit, one collection, comprehensive results.

The study identified patterns that can help target future outreach. Women who were single, had multiple partners, currently smoked, or identified as non-Hispanic Black showed higher infection rates, pointing to groups who could benefit most from expanded access.

This streamlined approach represents a new model for women's health. Instead of requiring separate appointments, separate tests, and separate follow-ups, one mail-in kit addresses multiple preventive care needs at once.

The research team envisions a future where this becomes standard practice, reaching women in rural areas, those without reliable transportation, and anyone who struggles to take time off work for medical appointments.

For hundreds of North Carolina women, that future has already arrived in their mailboxes.