Jane R Montealegre1, Rachel M Landgren2, Matthew L Anderson3, Shkelzen Hoxhaj4, Sandra Williams4, David J Robinson5, Michael E Scheurer6, Lois M Ramondetta7. 1. Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States; Dan L. Duncan Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States. Electronic address: jrmontea@bcm.edu. 2. The University of Texas School of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States. 3. Dan L. Duncan Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States; Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States; Department of Pathology & Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States. 4. Department of Emergency Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States. 5. Department of Emergency Medicine, The University of Texas School of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States. 6. Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States; Dan L. Duncan Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States. 7. Department of Gynecologic Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States; Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Lyndon Baines Johnson Hospital, Harris Health System, Houston, TX, United States.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Self-sample human papillomavirus (HPV) testing in public emergency departments (EDs) may be a viable strategy to opportunistically screen women who otherwise do not attend for regular Papanicolaou test-based cervical cancer screening. We describe the acceptability of self-sample HPV testing among women presenting to two high-volume, urban EDs that primarily care for the medically underserved. METHODS: In 2014, a total of 210 women 21 years of age and older were recruited from two public ED waiting areas following a two-stage cluster sampling design. Questionnaire items inquired about demographics, healthcare access and utilization, history of cervical cancer screening, and acceptability of self-sample HPV testing. Descriptive analyses were performed. RESULTS: Overall, 34.8% of participants were considered screening non-attendees based on their adherence to the current guidelines for Pap testing every three years. Acceptability of self-sample HPV testing was high, with over 85% of participants reporting that they would be willing to use the test if available. A smaller proportion (58%) was deemed likely to accept self-sample HPV testing in a public ED restroom setting. Primary concerns expressed by women were that the sampling may not be done correctly (64%) and that they may not know how to perform the sampling (39%). CONCLUSIONS: Opportunistic self-sample HPV testing is acceptable to women seeking care at a high-volume, urban emergency care center. The use of this intervention potentially offers a unique strategy to improve cervical cancer screening among high-risk women who otherwise do not attend for regular screening.
OBJECTIVE: Self-sample human papillomavirus (HPV) testing in public emergency departments (EDs) may be a viable strategy to opportunistically screen women who otherwise do not attend for regular Papanicolaou test-based cervical cancer screening. We describe the acceptability of self-sample HPV testing among women presenting to two high-volume, urban EDs that primarily care for the medically underserved. METHODS: In 2014, a total of 210 women 21 years of age and older were recruited from two public ED waiting areas following a two-stage cluster sampling design. Questionnaire items inquired about demographics, healthcare access and utilization, history of cervical cancer screening, and acceptability of self-sample HPV testing. Descriptive analyses were performed. RESULTS: Overall, 34.8% of participants were considered screening non-attendees based on their adherence to the current guidelines for Pap testing every three years. Acceptability of self-sample HPV testing was high, with over 85% of participants reporting that they would be willing to use the test if available. A smaller proportion (58%) was deemed likely to accept self-sample HPV testing in a public ED restroom setting. Primary concerns expressed by women were that the sampling may not be done correctly (64%) and that they may not know how to perform the sampling (39%). CONCLUSIONS: Opportunistic self-sample HPV testing is acceptable to women seeking care at a high-volume, urban emergency care center. The use of this intervention potentially offers a unique strategy to improve cervical cancer screening among high-risk women who otherwise do not attend for regular screening.
Authors: Grace X Ma; Lin Zhu; Shumenghui Zhai; Timmy R Lin; Yin Tan; Cicely Johnson; Carolyn Y Fang; Jerome L Belinson; Min Qi Wang Journal: Cancer Control Date: 2022 Jan-Dec Impact factor: 3.302
Authors: Susan H Read; Ivan Valverde; Jane R Montealegre; Thomas J Rutherford; Matthew L Anderson Journal: BMC Womens Health Date: 2020-07-06 Impact factor: 2.742