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HPV primary cervical screening in England: Women's awareness and attitudes
Author(s) -
Patel Hersha,
Moss Esther L.,
Sherman Susan M.
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
psycho‐oncology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.41
H-Index - 137
eISSN - 1099-1611
pISSN - 1057-9249
DOI - 10.1002/pon.4694
Subject(s) - medicine , cervical screening , family medicine , cervical cancer screening , gynecology , cervical cancer , anxiety , risk perception , focus group , qualitative research , limiting , perception , cancer , psychology , psychiatry , mechanical engineering , social science , business , marketing , neuroscience , sociology , engineering
Background Primary human papillomavirus (HPV) cervical screening is due to be implemented in England within the next 2 years; however, the acceptability of HPV testing as the primary screening test is unclear. This study explores women's awareness and attitudes toward HPV testing/screening. Methods Qualitative interviews (semistructured and focus group) were conducted with 46 women (aged 25‐65 years) from community and secondary care settings. Data were analyzed by using the inductive‐framework method. Results Women were unaware that cervical screening currently includes HPV testing and lacked HPV‐related knowledge. Emotions of shock, fear, and anxiety were reported upon receiving a positive HPV result. For women in long‐term relationships, the realization that HPV is a sexually transmitted infection was seen as a barrier to primary HPV testing. Knowledge that HPV testing is a screening test to prevent cervical cancer did not change their attitudes. Women debated the need for continued screening following a negative result. Women feared judgment by the community if they participated with primary HPV screening because they were being tested for a sexually transmitted infection, with the possible attendant perception that they had adopted a high‐risk lifestyle in comparison to nonattenders. Conclusions The acceptability of HPV testing may be a limiting factor in encouraging participation with screening in the future.