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Oral Presentations
O17 – SCREENING AND VACCINATION
Wednesday, July 17, 2019 1:45 PM – 3:15 PM
O17.2 Women’s experiences with primary human papillomavirus (HPV) testing for cervix screening: HPV focal exit survey results
Free
  1. Laurie Smith1,
  2. Dirk Van Niekerk1,
  3. Mel Krajden2,
  4. Lovedeep Gondara1,
  5. Darrel Cook2,
  6. Marette Lee1,
  7. Ruth Martin3,
  8. Gavin Stuart3,
  9. Stuart Peacock4,
  10. Eduardo Franco5,
  11. Andrew Coldman4,
  12. Gina Ogilvie3
  1. 1BC Cancer, Vancouver, Canada
  2. 2BC Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, Canada
  3. 3University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
  4. 4BC Cancer Research Centre, Vancouver, Canada
  5. 5McGill University, Montreal, Canada

Abstract

Background Globally, cervical screening is moving from cytology (Pap) to HPV-based testing. Cytology-based screening has occurred for decades; therefore, engaging the screened population is critical to success of this significant paradigm shift. HPV FOCAL, a large clinical trial, compared primary HPV testing every 4 years to liquid-based cytology (LBC) every 2 years. Participants were surveyed to assess experiences surrounding HPV screening.

Methods Women aged 25–65 (n=19,009) from two urban centres were randomized to control (LBC) or intervention (HPV) arms, and 16,374 women attended 48 month exit with HPV/LBC co-testing. At trial entry, women were provided information about HPV, cervical cancer, HPV testing and results. Women completing exit screening were invited to complete a survey assessing attitudes to HPV vs. Pap testing, screening intervals, and receipt of HPV results.

Results Of 14,535 invites sent, 5,532(38%) responders completed some or all of the survey with 63% reporting that HPV vs. Pap testing was acceptable; and 54% willing to have HPV testing every 4–5 yrs vs. a Pap every 3 yrs. Concerns regarding HPV positive results differed by age. More women >50 yrs reported it important for them to know who gave them HPV than younger women (25–34 yrs: 68%; 35–49 yrs: 69%; 50+yrs: 76%). More women 25–34 yrs than >35 yrs would feel judged for having HPV (25–34 yrs: 44%; 35–49 yrs: 36%; 50+yrs: 34%). More women >50 yrs reported being HPV positive would affect the relationship with a sexual partner (25–34 yrs: 36%; 35–49 yrs: 41%; 50+: 45%). Response differences by education will also be presented.

Conclusion In this large HPV screening trial, the majority of women reported that HPV vs. Pap testing was acceptable and over half would be willing to have HPV testing every 4–5 yrs. Women had varied concerns regarding HPV positive results and responses varied by age. These findings illustrate the importance of comprehensive, targeted communication strategies prior to implementation of primary HPV screening.

Disclosure No significant relationships.

  • HPV

https://doi.org/10.1136/sextrans-2019-sti.200

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