Understanding the Acceptability and Uptake of HPV Self-Sampling Amongst Women Under- or Never-Screened for Cervical Cancer in Toronto (Ontario, Canada): An Intervention Study Protocol

Aisha Lofters, Kimberly Devotta, Vijayshree Prakash and Mandana Vahabi
Additional contact information
Aisha Lofters: Peter Gilgan Centre for Women’s Cancers, Women’s College Hospital, Toronto, ON M5S 1B2, Canada
Kimberly Devotta: MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions, St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto, ON M5B 1T8, Canada
Vijayshree Prakash: PCCIS Research Project, Ryerson University, Toronto, ON M5B 1Z5, Canada
Mandana Vahabi: Daphne Cockwell School of Nursing, Ryerson University, Toronto, ON M5B 1Z5, Canada

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 17, 1-11

Abstract: Cervical cancer remains a global public health concern, even though scientific advancements have made the disease almost entirely preventable. With the link between human papillomavirus (HPV) and cervical cancer, and the subsequent improvement in screening technology, there is potential to improve access and coverage of cervical screening with the introduction of HPV self-sampling. In Ontario, Canada, a province with a cytology-based screening program (i.e., Pap test), women who identify as South Asian, West Asian, Middle Eastern and North African have some of the lowest rates of screening, and research suggests they have a higher burden of cervical cancer. In this study, we will use both quantitative and qualitative methods to understand the acceptability and uptake of a take-home HPV self-sampling kit. Working with community champions—people with pre-existing connections with local groups—we will recruit women from these groups who are under- or never-screened for cervical cancer. Women will self-select whether they are in the group that tries HPV self-sampling or in the group that does not. We will aim for 100 women in each group. All participants will provide feedback on the feasibility, acceptability and preferences for cervical screening through a survey and phone follow-up. Women who self-select the HPV self-sampling group, will be followed up to find out if they followed through with self-sampling and to understand their experience using the device. Women who do not want to try self-sampling will be followed up to see if they went on to get a Pap test. The qualitative phase of this study consists of five focus groups with participants and semi-structured interviews with key informants in the community.

Keywords: cervical cancer; cervical screening; HPV self-sampling; community champions; health equity (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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