Acceptability and Accuracy of Cervical Cancer Screening Using a Self-Collected Tampon for HPV Messenger-RNA Testing among HIV-Infected Women in South Africa.
BACKGROUND
HIV increases women's risk for high-risk human papillomavirus (hrHPV) infection and invasive cervical cancer. South Africa has a high HIV prevalence but low cervical cancer screening coverage. Self-collection of cervical specimens and hrHPV testing, including hrHPV messenger-RNA (mRNA) testing, are methods aimed at increasing screening rates. However, data are limited on the acceptability and accuracy of tampon-based self-collection for hrHPV mRNA testing in HIV-infected women.


METHODS
We recruited 325 HIV-infected women seeking care at a government HIV clinic in Pretoria, South Africa. A clinician performed a pelvic examination and obtained an endocervical specimen. Study participants performed self-collection using a tampon. Both clinician- and self-collected specimens were tested for hrHPV mRNA. Acceptability of both collection methods was assessed, the prevalence of hrHPV mRNA in our study population was estimated, test positivity of the two collection methods were compared, and test agreement was assessed by calculating the κ-statistic, sensitivity, and specificity.


RESULTS
Over 90% of women reported no difficulties self-collecting specimens and 82% were willing to perform the tampon-collection at home. Based on clinician-collection specimens, the prevalence of hrHPV mRNA in our study population was 36.7% (95% CI: 31.4%- 42.0%). There was no difference in test positivity between clinician-collection, 36.7%, and tampon-collection, 43.5% (p-value = 0.08). Using clinician-collection as the reference test, the sensitivity and specificity for hrHPV mRNA of tampon-collection were 77.4% (95% CI: 69.8-85.0%) and 77.8% (95% CI: 71.9-83.6%), respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Tampon-based self-collection is acceptable to women and has similar hrHPV mRNA positivity rates as clinician-collection, but has reduced sensitivity and specificity compared to clinician-collection. The hrHPV mRNA prevalence in our study population is high, but similar to other high-risk populations, and highlights the need for improved cervical cancer screening. Further research into the optimal use of tampon-based collection as a cervical cancer screening tool is warranted.
School of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America; Research Unit, Foundation for Professional Development, Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa.
Paul C
PC
Adamson
Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America.
Megan J
MJ
Huchko
Drs. Martin and Partners, Edenvale, Gauteng, South Africa.
Alison M
AM
Moss
Research Unit, Foundation for Professional Development, Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa; Department of Family Medicine, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa.
Hans F
HF
Kinkel
Research Unit, Foundation for Professional Development, Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa; School of Health Systems and Public Health, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa.
Andrew
A
Medina-Marino
D000328:Adult; D052685:Alphapapillomavirus / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000821:virology*; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000592:standards*; D052576:Menstrual Hygiene Products; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis*; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D012648:Self Care; D013019:South Africa
D012333:RNA, Messenger; D012367:RNA, Viral