Chlamydia retest: how should we remind you?

[Extract] Various studies have demonstrated the utility of SMS messages as a reminder for retesting in clients at higher risk of sexually transmitted infection (STI) acquisition. At Cairns Sexual Health Service (CSHS), a generic SMS message with a small financial incentive increased chlamydia retesting from 7% to 28%. 1 We implemented a client choice reminder system to determine if offering a choice would improve chlamydia retesting rates. Over a 12-month period from 1 June 2013 to 31 May 2014, all clients diagnosed and treated for chlamydia at CSHS were offered a choice of reminder. These choices included: SMS, email, telephone call, letter, a postal self-collection testing kit or no reminder. Clients were considered retested if a specimen was collected between 84 and 126 days post treatment. The results were compared with retesting rates over the previous 12 months