title: To what extent will women accept HPV self-sampling for cervical cancer screening? A qualitative study conducted in Switzerland.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Human papillomavirus self-sampling (self-HPV) is regarded as an alternative to Pap smear testing for women who do not participate in cervical cancer screening. This qualitative study aimed to determine women's views on cervical cancer screening and the various obstacles to participation in screening, and to evaluate the perceived benefits and disadvantages of self-HPV.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-four focus groups were conducted in 2012, with a total of 125 participants aged between 24 and 67 years. They were recruited through different channels, including flyers and posters, personal contacts, and an ongoing clinical trial focused on the unscreened population. Interview transcripts have been coded with the ATLAS.ti CAQDAS.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fifty-seven participants regularly attended screening and 68 had not been screened in the past 3 years. While some participants considered self-HPV as an acceptable screening method, others expressed concerns. Benefits included access, reduced costs, and time-saving. Disadvantages included the fear of not performing the test correctly, hurting oneself, and the accuracy of the test. Participants expressed concern that self-HPV would replace gynecological visits.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Self-HPV is not likely to rapidly or substantially modify women's behaviors in regard to screening. While it may offer benefits in some specific situations, most women emphasized the advantages of regular gynecologist visits.
authors.affiliation: Department of Sociology, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Vanessa
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Fargnoli
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Petignat
authors.affiliation: Department of Sociology, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Claudine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Burton-Jeangros
keywords: Pap smear; cervical cancer; cervical screening; qualitative study; self-HPV