title: Acceptability and usability of self-collected sampling for HPV testing among African-American women living in the Mississippi Delta.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA testing has been shown to be an effective approach to cervical cancer screening, and self-collection sampling for HPV testing could be a potential alternative to Pap test, provided that women who tested positive by any method get timely follow-up and care. This feasibility study examined acceptability and usability of self-collected sampling for HPV testing among African-American (AA) women in the Mississippi Delta to inform the development of interventions to promote cervical cancer screening in this population.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study consisted of two phases. Phase I consisted of eight focus groups (n = 87) with AA women to explore knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs about cervical cancer and HPV infection as well as acceptability of self-collected sampling for HPV testing. In phase II, we examined the usability of this technology through one discussion group (n = 9). The Health Belief Model guided data collection and analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Although participants perceived themselves as susceptible to cervical cancer and acknowledged its severity, there was a lack of knowledge of the link between HPV and cervical cancer, and they expressed a number of misconceptions. The most frequent barriers to screening included embarrassment, discomfort, and fear of the results. Women in both phases were receptive to self-collected sampling for HPV testing. All participants in the usability phase expressed that self-collection was easy and they did not experience any difficulties.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Self-collection for HPV testing is an acceptable and feasible method among AA women in the Mississippi Delta to complement current cytology cervical cancer screening programs.
authors: University of Alabama at Birmingham, Division of Preventive Medicine, Birmingham, Alabama 35294, USA. scarinci@uab.edu
authors: Isabel C
authors: IC
authors: Scarinci
authors: Allison G
authors: AG
authors: Litton
authors: Isabel C
authors: IC
authors: Garcés-Palacio
authors: Edward E
authors: EE
authors: Partridge
authors: Philip E
authors: PE
authors: Castle
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000523:psychology; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D055088:Early Detection of Cancer / Q000379:methods; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D008922:Mississippi; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000821:virology; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000208:ethnology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012424:Rural Population; D016353:Self-Examination; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013048:Specimen Handling / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000821:virology; D014626:Vaginal Smears / Q000379:methods* / Q000523:psychology; D055815:Young Adult; D002578:Uterine Cervical Dysplasia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000821:virology