title: Acceptability of self-sampling in Portuguese women: the good, the bad or the ugly?
abstract: Self-sampling is a less costly approach that has been used for human papillomavirus (HPV) testing.
  
  
  
  A cross-sectional study involving 313 Portuguese women assessed the acceptability of cervicovaginal self-sampling.
  
  
  
  Self-sampling was a well-accepted method [75.7%; 95% confidence interval (CI) 70.5-80.2], and the majority of women felt no pain (67.4%; 95% CI 61.9-72.5), no discomfort (70.9%; 95% CI 65.5-75.8) and no complexity (76.4%; 95% CI 71.2-80.9). The willingness to repeat self-sampling was high (89.5%; 95% CI 85.4-92.5). Compared to physician-sampling, women reported a preference for self-sampling (58.1%; 95% CI 52.5-63.6), as it was more comfortable (67.1%; 95% CI 61.5-72.2) and caused less pain (16.3%; 95% CI 12.5-20.9) and embarrassment (13.4%; 95% CI 9.9-17.8).
  
  
  
  Offering self-sampling for HPV testing may improve screening participation rates and overcome women's embarrassment regarding physician examination.
authors.affiliation: Molecular Oncology and Viral Pathology GRP-IC, Portuguese Institute of Oncology of Porto (IPO Porto), Rua Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, 4200-072, Porto, Portugal.
authors.forename: Jani
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.affiliation: FP-ENAS Research Unit, UFP Energy, Environment and Health Research Unit, CEBIMED, Biomedical Research Centre, Fernando Pessoa University, Praça 9 de Abril, 349, 4249-004, Porto, Portugal.
authors.forename: Fátima
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Cerqueira
authors.affiliation: Molecular Oncology and Viral Pathology GRP-IC, Portuguese Institute of Oncology of Porto (IPO Porto), Rua Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, 4200-072, Porto, Portugal.
authors.forename: Rui
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Medeiros
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000175:diagnosis*; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D011174:Portugal; D012648:Self Care; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D014626:Vaginal Smears