Randomised controlled trial of the effect of evidence based information on women's willingness to participate in cervical cancer screening.
OBJECTIVE
To assess whether providing women with additional information on the pros and cons of screening, compared with information currently offered by the NHS, affects their intention to attend for screening.


METHODS
Randomised controlled trial. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either the control, (based on an NHS Cervical Screening Programme leaflet currently used), or the intervention leaflet (containing additional information on risks and uncertainties).


METHODS
Three general practices in Birmingham.


METHODS
300 women aged 20 to 64 attending the practices during a one month period.


METHODS
Intention to attend for screening.


RESULTS
283 women (94.3%) completed the study. Fewer women in the intervention (79%) than the control group (88%) expressed intention to have screening after reading the information leaflet (difference between groups 9.2%, 95% confidence intervals (CI) 3.2% to 21.7%). The crude odds ratio (OR) and 95% CI was 0.50 (0.26 to 0.97). After adjusting for other factors, the trend persisted (OR 0.60, 95% CI 0.28 to 1.29). Having a previous Pap smear was the only significant predictor of intention to have screening (adjusted OR 2.54, 95% CI 1.03 to 6.21). Subgroup analysis showed no intervention effect in intended uptake between women at higher and lower risk of cervical cancer (p=0.59).


CONCLUSIONS
Providing women with evidence based information on the risks, uncertainties, and the benefits of screening, is likely to deter some, but not differentially those at higher risk.
Adab
P
P
Department of Public Health and Epidemiology, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, UK. p.adab@bham.ac.uk
Marshall
T
T
Rouse
A
A
Randhawa
B
B
Sangha
H
H
Bhangoo
N
N
D000328:Adult; D004739:England / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008875:Middle Aged; D065006:Papanicolaou Test; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology; D017010:Reminder Systems; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D014626:Vaginal Smears / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*