| Method of Communication | Type of Test | P Value†† | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Common Tests (Group 1) | STI (Group 2) | Genetic Test (Group 3) | |||||
| Cholesterol† | Colonoscopy‡ | Non-HIV STI§ | Predisposed‖ | Inherited¶ | Carrier** | ||
| Fax | 3.5 | 2.6 | 1.9 | 2.2 | 2.0 | 2.1 | All |
| Personal voicemail | 7.8 | 6.9 | 6.2 | 6.5 | 5.8 | 6.0 | 1 vs 3; 1 vs 2 |
| Home voicemail | 5.8 | 4.7 | 3.2 | 4.2 | 3.6 | 3.8 | All |
| Personal E-mail | 8.0 | 7.2 | 5.7 | 6.2 | 5.5 | 5.8 | 1 vs 3; 1 vs 2 |
| Letter | 7.2 | 6.4 | 5.5 | 6.1 | 5.6 | 5.8 | All |
| Mobile phone text message | 5.2 | 4.1 | 3.2 | 3.6 | 3.3 | 3.3 | 1 vs 3; 1 vs 2 |
| Password-protected website | 7.5 | 6.9 | 6.6 | 6.6 | 6.1 | 6.5 | 1 vs 3; 1 vs 2 |
Data are shown as the mean values.
↵* The response scale was based on 1 (not comfortable at all) to 10 (very comfortable). Response numbers are approximately 409 within each cell; standard deviations ranged between 2.2 and 3.7.
↵† You received a test to check the level of cholesterol in your blood.
↵‡ You received a colonoscopy to check for the potential development of colon cancer.
↵§ You received a test to determine whether you have contracted a non-HIV sexually transmitted infection (STI; for example, herpes).
↵‖ You received a test to determine whether you are genetically predisposed to a certain disease (you could potentially develop the disease, but it is not guaranteed).
↵¶ You received a test to determine whether you have inherited a genetic disease that is currently untreatable.
↵** You received a test to determine whether you are a carrier for a mutation that causes a genetic disease that could be passed on to your children.
↵†† P value for testing the means of the individual tests within each type (common tests, 1; STI, 2; and genetic, 3). “All” implies groups 1 vs 2, 1 vs 3, and 2 vs 3 are significantly different. The P values were adjusted for multiple comparisons (P < .05).
HIV, human immunodeficiency virus.