Determinants of women’s likelihood of vaginal self-sampling for human papillomavirus to screen for cervical cancer in Taiwan: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

BackgroundMany Taiwanese women (43.8%) did not participate in regular cervical screening in 2011. An alternative to cervical screening, self-sampling for human papillomavirus (HPV), has been available at no cost under Taiwan’s National Health Insurance since 2010, but the extent and likelihood of HPV self-sampling were unknown.MethodsA cross-sectional study was performed to explore determinants of women’s likelihood of HPV self-sampling. Data were collected by questionnaire from a convenience sample of 500 women attending hospital gynecologic clinics in central Taiwan from June to October 2012. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, chi-square test, and logistic regression.ResultsOf 500 respondents, 297 (59.4%) had heard of HPV; of these 297 women, 69 (23%) had self-sampled for HPV. Among the 297women who had heard of HPV, 234 (78.8%) considered cost a priority for HPV self-sampling. Likelihood of HPV self-sampling was determined by previous Pap testing, high perceived risk of cervical cancer, willingness to self-sample for HPV, high HPV knowledge, and cost as a priority consideration.ConclusionsOutreach efforts to increase the acceptability of self-sampling for HPV testing rates should target women who have had a Pap test, perceive themselves at high risk for cervical cancer, are willing to self-sample for HPV, have a high level of HPV knowledge, and for whom the cost of self-sampling covered by health insurance is a priority.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12905-014-0139-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Attitudes and factors affecting acceptability of self-administered cervicovaginal sampling for human papillomavirus (HPV) genotyping as an alternative to Pap testing among multiethnic Malaysian women

“…Another reason could be that women with higher education were more comfortable with a professional carrying out the test rather than themselves. This is contradictory to studies showing that education level did not have a significant impact on self-sampling acceptability 33. The majority (68.2%) of the women surveyed preferred self-sampling compared with physician-sampled Pap smear tests after carrying it out.…”

“…This is contradictory to studies showing that education level did not have a significant impact on self-sampling acceptability. 33 The majority (68.2%) of the women surveyed preferred selfsampling compared with physician-sampled Pap smear tests after carrying it out. This is not surprising, as issues such as embarrassment and inconvenience could be overcome with the use of self-samplers, enabling women to do it independently in the comfort of their own homes.…”

An implication of impurity: The impact of feminine honor on human papillomavirus (HPV) screenings and the decision to authorize daughter’s HPV vaccinations.

“…We also controlled for a single-item perceived risk variable, asking participants to respond to the question "To what extent do you think you are at risk of getting HPV?" on a scale from 1 (No Risk at All) to 9 (High Risk), as higher perceived risk has been linked with increased likelihood to receive women's health screenings as well (Chen, Hsieh, Chou, & Tzeng, 2014;Hope, Moss, Redman, & Sherman, 2017).…”

“…We also collected a single item asking “do you have a close friend or family member who has tested positive for HPV?”, since personal acquaintance with someone who has tested positive for a disease/infection has been linked with greater likelihood to personally get screened for that disease/infection (Leyva, Byrd, & Tarwater, 2006; Ndejjo, Mukama, Musabyimana, & Musoke, 2016; Savage & Clarke, 2001). We also controlled for a single-item perceived risk variable, asking participants to respond to the question “To what extent do you think you are at risk of getting HPV?” on a scale from 1 ( No Risk at All ) to 9 ( High Risk ), as higher perceived risk has been linked with increased likelihood to receive women’s health screenings as well (Chen, Hsieh, Chou, & Tzeng, 2014; Hope, Moss, Redman, & Sherman, 2017).…”

Cervical Cancer Screening Postpandemic: Self-Sampling Opportunities to Accelerate the Elimination of Cervical Cancer

“…144 Taiwanese women who perceived their cervical cancer risk as high and had high-level of HPV-related knowledge were more likely to perform HPV self-sampling. 145 Conversely, levels of HPV-related knowledge and perceived risk are low in underscreened women from low-income areas; however, they do perceive mailed self-sampling kits as trustworthy. 146 In addition, the causal relationship between cervical cancer and sexually transmitted HPV infection can result in perceived sexual promiscuity by the community and feelings of shame and blame in women who test positive for HPV.…”