title: Perspectives from health-care providers and women about completing human papillomavirus (HPV) self-testing at home.
abstract: Cervical cancer (CC) incidence and mortality rates are increased, and CC screening rates are low among Appalachian Ohio women. Mailing human papillomavirus (HPV) self-tests to women to complete at home is a potential new strategy to engage women in CC screening. The authors aimed to gain insights into the perceived acceptability of mailed HPV self-tests. Focus groups were conducted (August 2014-January 2015) among providers (physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses) and women in Appalachian Ohio. Providers (n = 28) and women (n = 15; age range: 32-62 years) reported general acceptance of HPV self-tests, however, for different reasons. Providers thought HPV self-testing would increase the proportion of under-screened women returning to the health-care system, while women thought self-testing would eliminate logistical and reduce psychological CC screening barriers. Findings provide insights into facilitators and barriers of completing an HPV self-test at home, returning it, reporting results, and providing needed follow-up care. To the authors' knowledge, no systematic research exists addressing providers' views regarding women's use of HPV self-tests and the relation of such use to fostering subsequent Pap testing. This information will be useful in developing CC screening programs that include mailed HPV self-tests, as well as encouragement of follow-up Pap testing to meet existing CC screening guidelines.
authors.affiliation: a Division of Health Behavior and Health Promotion, College of Public Health , The Ohio State University , Columbus , Ohio , USA.|b Division of Cancer Prevention and Control, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine , The Ohio State University , Columbus , Ohio , USA.|c Comprehensive Cancer Center , The Ohio State University , Columbus , Ohio , USA.
authors.forename: Mira L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Katz
authors.affiliation: c Comprehensive Cancer Center , The Ohio State University , Columbus , Ohio , USA.
authors.forename: Barret J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Zimmermann
authors.affiliation: d Valley View Health Centers , Waverlys , Ohio , USA.
authors.forename: Deborah
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Moore
authors.affiliation: b Division of Cancer Prevention and Control, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine , The Ohio State University , Columbus , Ohio , USA.|c Comprehensive Cancer Center , The Ohio State University , Columbus , Ohio , USA.
authors.forename: Electra D
authors.initials: ED
authors.lastname: Paskett
authors.affiliation: b Division of Cancer Prevention and Control, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine , The Ohio State University , Columbus , Ohio , USA.|c Comprehensive Cancer Center , The Ohio State University , Columbus , Ohio , USA.
authors.forename: Paul L
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Reiter
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001061:Appalachian Region; D055088:Early Detection of Cancer / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D009820:Ohio; D065006:Papanicolaou Test / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D027383:Papillomaviridae / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology / Q000821:virology; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012648:Self Care / Q000379:methods* / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D014626:Vaginal Smears / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016387:Women's Health
keywords: Cervical cancer; Pap test; human papillomavirus; screening