Comparing Specimen Collection Techniques to Screen for Sexually Transmitted Infections in Pregnant Women: A Pilot Study

The purpose of this research study is to compare two specimen collection techniques (vaginal vs. endocervical swab) to screen for sexually transmitted infections in pregnant women. Either a physician or the patient may collect the vaginal specimen; the physician will collect the endocervical specimen during a standard-of-care pelvic exam. Each technique utilizes a specialized swab for specimen collection. We will used the Hologic Aptima C. trachomatis and N. gonorrhoeae detection assay to analyze both specimens. We hypothesize that the results from the physician-collected vaginal specimen will have equivalent outcomes those from the physician-collected endocervical specimen. If the techniques are equivalent for detecting infection, there may be an opportunity for cost saving and increased patient satisfaction with the vaginal technique, especially using patient-collected vaginal specimen collection.