Language
English
Publication Date
3-1-2025
Journal
Annals of Emergency Medicine
DOI
10.1016/j.annemergmed.2024.10.002
PMID
39545880
Abstract
Study objective: Overdue cervical cancer screening increases the risk of invasive cervical cancer. It is important to identify settings where self-collection for primary human papillomavirus (HPV) testing can be implemented to have high effect on cervical cancer screening among hard-to-reach women with overdue screening. Herein, we examined the acceptability of HPV self-collection, including completion rates, attitudes, and experiences among women seeking noncritical care at a high-volume urban safety-net hospital emergency department (ED) in Houston, Texas, United States.
Methods: In this single-arm intervention pilot study, we recruited women overdue for cervical cancer screening in the waiting areas of a safety-net hospital ED, seeking noncritical care from November 2023 to April 2024. Participants completed a preintervention survey and were offered an HPV self-collection kit. A postintervention survey followed immediately after HPV self-collection.
Results: Nearly 30% (119 of 401) screened for eligibility were overdue for cervical cancer screening. Of these, 93% were enrolled and were predominantly Hispanic, non-US born, and uninsured, with a median age of 45 years (IQR: 37 to 53). HPV self-collection completion rate was 90% (95% CI 82.9% to 94.9%). More than a quarter (27%) of these women had never been screened, and 14% had a screening >10 years prior. Most women who completed the HPV self-collection had positive attitudes and experiences and reported that the kit was easy to use (97%) and would be very willing to use HPV self-collection for regular screening (88%).
Conclusion: HPV self-collection for primary cervical cancer screening during noncritical ED visits is possible and highly acceptable among women overdue for cervical cancer screening.
Keywords
Humans, Female, Emergency Service, Hospital, Adult, Uterine Cervical Neoplasms, Middle Aged, Papillomavirus Infections, Early Detection of Cancer, Patient Acceptance of Health Care, Texas, Pilot Projects, Specimen Handling, Self Care, Hospitals, Urban
Published Open-Access
yes
Recommended Citation
Sokale, Itunu O; Kuo, Dick C; Hoppenot, Claire M; et al., "Self-Collection for Primary HPV Testing: Acceptability in a Large Urban Emergency Department" (2025). Faculty and Staff Publications. 4423.
https://digitalcommons.library.tmc.edu/baylor_docs/4423