Table of themes: psychological and social responses to HPV testing
| (1) Social and psychological response |
| A General psychological responses |
| shock, distress, worry |
| concerns about cancer |
| reassurance of additional testing |
| B Concerns relating to the sexually transmitted nature of HPV |
| Stigma of STI |
| Guilt and blame for the cause of the infection |
| Anxiety about disclosure to sexual partners |
| Anxiety about disclosure to family and friends |
| Concerns about transmitting the infection |
| (2) Factors influencing social and psychological response |
| A Women’s relationship status and history |
| B Social, cultural and religious norms around sex and relationships |
| C Understanding of HPV |
| Extremely common infection |
| Can regress without treatment |
| No visible physical signs, distinct from genital warts and herpes |
| Treatment for CIN is highly effective |
| Condoms do not necessarily prevent infection |
| Not necessary to inform sexual partners |
| Impact on male sexual partner likely to be negligible |
| Need for consistent of information |