PATIENT PREFERENCE FOR SELF-COLLECTED CULTURES FOR GROUP-B STREPTOCOCCUS IN PREGNANCY

To determine pregnant women's preference for self-culture technique, 2 51 women between 24 and 42 weeks' gestation were interviewed after per forming self-collected cultures (vaginal and rectal) for group B strep tococcus. Patient receptiveness to self-culture, the ability to perfor m self-culture, and the desire for choice in the future were derived u sing the Patient Preference Tool. The majority of women (77%, n = 194) gave positive descriptions of seif-culture technique, and the majorit y of women preferred self-culture technique over nurse-collected sampl ing (57%, n = 142). Seventy-nine percent (n = 197) stated their desire to have a choice about self-culture in the future when similar testin g was needed, and 89% (n = 224) believed that other women would also l ike this choice. Additionally, patient samples were highly correlated with nurse-collected samples for accuracy of culture results. This stu dy provides data supporting that women desire active participation in their care. (C) 1997 by the American College of Nurse-Midwives.