Experiences of human papillomavirus self‐sampling by women >60 years old: A qualitative study

Abstract

Background: Human papillomavirus (HPV) self-sampling has shown to be acceptable and feasible across cultures and effective in reaching women who do not participate in regular cervical cancer screening. However, most of these studies have included younger women. There is a lack of knowledge of how older women reason about HPV self-sampling.Objective: The aim of this study was to describe how women (>60 years old) experience the offering of self-sampling of HPV, compared to having a sample collected by a healthcare professional. Design and Participants:The study had a qualitative explorative design. Four focus group discussions were conducted with women 60-69 years old (n = 22). Data were analysed using principles of interpretive description.Results: Five themes were identified: self-sampling-convenient and without pain, lack of knowledge, worries related to HPV self-sampling, need for information and taking a societal perspective. Conclusion:Women aged >60 years found that HPV self-sampling was convenient and easy to perform. Further, they stressed the importance of being able to remain in the screening programme in advanced age and that self-sampling could be a possible solution.This study also revealed a lack of knowledge among women in this age group regarding HPV infection, how the disease is transmitted and its relation to cervical cancer.Public Contribution: Women who had performed HPV self-sampling participated in the focus group discussion.

Older women’s perceptions of HPV self-sampling and HPV-sampling performed by a midwife – a phenomenographic study

“…Flexibility in regard to when and where to be tested has been important in previous studies to facilitate attendance [ 17 , 18 ]. This was also evident in the current study, thus supporting self-sampling as a smart and comfortable choice.…”

“…This could evoke feelings of guilt and shame described in earlier research on HPV [ 33 ]; in particular, concerns about disclosing results to their partner and worries about being judged as being promiscuous were highlighted. Further, there are studies describing women with HPV who, having had the same sexual partner for a long time, could accuse their partner of having cheated on them [ 18 , 34 ].…”

“…Earlier studies describe flexibility and own choice of time and place for testing to be important factors that could facilitate attendance. Other factors described are the importance of sufficient information on the relevance of testing and on HPV as a cause for cancer [ 17 , 18 ]. Qualitative studies that focused on self-sampling as a method of choice reported self-testing to be less embarrassing and less uncomfortable compared to professional sampling, as well as less physically and emotionally discomforting [ 19 , 20 ] and less time-consuming [ 21 ].…”