Improving behaviour in self-testing (IBIS): Study on frequency of use, consequences, information needs and use, and quality of currently available consumer information (protocol)

Mixed methods study with (1) a cross-sectional study consisting of a two-phase Internet-questionnaire, (2) semi-structured interviews with self-testers and consumers who intend to use a self-test, and (3) the assessment of the quality of consumer information of self-tests. The Health Belief Model and the Theory of Planned Behaviour will serve as the theoretical basis for the questionnaires and the interview topic guides.The self-testing area is still in a state of flux and therefore it is expected that self-test use will increase in the future. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study which combines quantitative and qualitative research to identify consumers' information needs and use concerning self-testing, and the consumers' actual follow-up behaviour based on the self-test result, and simultaneously investigates the quality of the currently available consumer information. The results of this study will be used as an input in developing consumer information on self-testing.A range of self-tests has become available to consumers in the Netherlands and elsewhere [1]. Self-tests are currently available for more than 25 conditions, ranging from infectious diseases to cardiovascular risk factors. Self-tests are not rarely used; 16% of a sample of Dutch Internet users indicated they had ever used at least one self-test in 2006, whereas 17% of those who had never used a self-test indicated they would probably or definitely use one in the future. The five most frequently used self-tests were tests for diabetes, cholesterol, allergies, urinary tract infection, and HIV [1].We defined self-tests as in-vitro tests on body materials such as blood, urine, faeces, or saliva that are initiated by consumers to diagnose a particular disorder or risk factor. In other words, by using a self-test, consumers completely avoid the traditional health care systems. Pregnancy tests, home blood-pressure meters, and monitoring tests, e.g. serum glucose for patients with diabetes