title: Overview of the CDC Cervical Cancer (Cx3) Study: an educational intervention of HPV testing for cervical cancer screening.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The recommended screening interval when using the Papanicolaou (Pap) and human papillomavirus (HPV) test (co-testing) is 5 years. However because providers are reluctant to extend the screening interval, we launched a study to identify barriers to appropriate use of the co-test and to implement an educational intervention to promote evidence-based screening practices. This article provides an overview of the study including the multi-component intervention and participant demographics.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was conducted in 15 clinics associated with 6 Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) in Illinois. Each clinic received HPV tests to administer with routine Pap tests among enrolled patients (n=2,246) and was assigned to a study arm: intervention arm (n=7) received a multi-component educational intervention (small media, academic detailing, and website) for providers and printed educational materials for patients, and control arm (n=8) received printed copies of general guidelines. Clinic coordinators (n=15), providers (n=98), and patients (n=984) completed baseline surveys to assess screening practices.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Providers reported an average age of 41.3 years and were predominately female, non-Hispanic, and white. Patients reported an average age of 45.0 years and nearly two-thirds were Hispanic or black. Of the 2,246 patients, 89% had a normal co-test. Lessons learned from the study included the importance of buy-in at a high level in the organization, a champion provider, and a clinical coordinator devoted to the study.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Materials from this study can be adapted to educate providers and patients on appropriate use of the co-test and encourage extended screening intervals as a safe and effective practice.
authors.affiliation: 1 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , Atlanta, Georgia .
authors.forename: Vicki B
authors.initials: VB
authors.lastname: Benard
authors.forename: Mona
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Saraiya
authors.forename: April
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Greek
authors.forename: Nikki A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Hawkins
authors.forename: Katherine B
authors.initials: KB
authors.lastname: Roland
authors.forename: Diane
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Manninen
authors.forename: Donatus U
authors.initials: DU
authors.lastname: Ekwueme
authors.forename: Jacqueline W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.forename: Elizabeth R
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: Unger
mesh_terms: D002487:Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S.; D055088:Early Detection of Cancer; D005260:Female; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D007087:Illinois; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods*; D065006:Papanicolaou Test; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000175:diagnosis; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000592:standards; D013997:Time Factors; D014481:United States; D014626:Vaginal Smears / Q000379:methods*