A pilot study of community‐based self‐sampling for HPV testing among non‐attenders of cervical cancer screening programs in El Salvador. Issue 2 (7th June 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Laskow, Bari; Figueroa, Ruben; Alfaro, Karla M.; Scarinci, Isabel C.; Conlisk, Elizabeth; Maza, Mauricio; Chang, Judy C.; Cremer, Miriam
• Is Part Of: International journal of gynaecology and obstetrics. Volume 138:Issue 2(2017)
• Page Start: 194
• Page End: 200
• Publication Date: 2017-06-07
• Subjects: Cervical cancer -- Community‐based screening program -- Feasibility -- HPV -- Low‐resource countries -- Self‐sampling; Gynecology -- Periodicals; Obstetrics -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 618
• DOI: 10.1002/ijgo.12204
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0020-7292

Abstract

Abstract: Objective: To establish the feasibility and acceptability of home‐based HPV self‐sampling among women who did not attend screening appointments in rural El Salvador. Methods: In a cross‐sectional study, data were collected from May 2015 to January 2016 among 60 women aged 30–59 years who were not pregnant, provided informed consent, had not been screened in 2 years, had no history of pre‐cancer treatment, and did not attend a scheduled HPV screening. Participants completed questionnaires and received educational information before being given an opportunity to self‐sample with the Hybrid Capture 2 High Risk HPV DNA Test. Results: Self‐sampling was accepted by 41 (68%) participants. Almost all women chose to self‐sample because the process was easy (40/41, 98%), could be performed at home (40/41, 98%), and saved time (38/41, 93%), and because they felt less embarrassed (33/41, 80%). The most common reason for declining the test was not wanting to be screened (8/19, 42%). The prevalence of high‐risk HPV types among women who accepted self‐sampling was 17% (7/41). Conclusion: For most women, community‐based self‐sampling was an acceptable way to participate in a cervical cancer screening program. In low‐resource countries, incorporating community‐based self‐sampling into screening programs might improve coverage of high‐risk women. Abstract : Community‐based HPV self‐sampling was an acceptable way for women who do not attend clinic‐based screenings to participate in a cervical cancer screening program.