Perceptions of a Diverse Group of U.S. Women on the Ease of Vaginal Self-Sampling for Cancer Detection
Poster #: 153
Session/Time: B
Author:
Parker Catherine O'Connell, BA
Mentor:
Ozlem Equils, MD
Research Type: Public Health
Abstract
INTRODUCTION:
The recent FDA approval of a cervical self-collection method for HPV detection offers a promising opportunity to improve access to cervical cancer screenings. This study evaluates patients' perceptions of self-collection methods and identifies factors influencing their acceptance.
METHODS:
MiOra health educators conducted a pilot, cross-sectional, convenience sampling study in Los Angeles County, California, using an IRB approved Qualtrics electronic survey targeting low socioeconomic women. Participants evaluated the perceived ease or difficulty of at-home self-collection methods for vaginal and nasopharyngeal swabs. Associations between socio-demographic, behavioral, and contextual factors with self-sampling preferences were analyzed using chi-square test. Statistical significance was set at 5%, and data were analyzed in R version 4.4.1.
RESULTS:
A total of 213 women aged 18 years and older participated in the study, with no exclusions. The majority of participants were under 51 years old (83.6%), Hispanic/Latino (61.5%), and first-generation immigrants in the U.S.A. Women with a middle school or less education were significantly more likely to report perceived difficulty with vaginal self-collection as compared to women with a graduate or professional school education (85.7% versus 21.4% respectively, p=0.009).
CONCLUSION:
Timely cervical cancer diagnosis is crucial for improving treatment outcomes. Findings from this pilot study suggest that formal education may influence women's comfort level with vaginal self-collection. Further research is needed to understand the role of formal education to close the gaps in timely cancer detection.
The recent FDA approval of a cervical self-collection method for HPV detection offers a promising opportunity to improve access to cervical cancer screenings. This study evaluates patients' perceptions of self-collection methods and identifies factors influencing their acceptance.
METHODS:
MiOra health educators conducted a pilot, cross-sectional, convenience sampling study in Los Angeles County, California, using an IRB approved Qualtrics electronic survey targeting low socioeconomic women. Participants evaluated the perceived ease or difficulty of at-home self-collection methods for vaginal and nasopharyngeal swabs. Associations between socio-demographic, behavioral, and contextual factors with self-sampling preferences were analyzed using chi-square test. Statistical significance was set at 5%, and data were analyzed in R version 4.4.1.
RESULTS:
A total of 213 women aged 18 years and older participated in the study, with no exclusions. The majority of participants were under 51 years old (83.6%), Hispanic/Latino (61.5%), and first-generation immigrants in the U.S.A. Women with a middle school or less education were significantly more likely to report perceived difficulty with vaginal self-collection as compared to women with a graduate or professional school education (85.7% versus 21.4% respectively, p=0.009).
CONCLUSION:
Timely cervical cancer diagnosis is crucial for improving treatment outcomes. Findings from this pilot study suggest that formal education may influence women's comfort level with vaginal self-collection. Further research is needed to understand the role of formal education to close the gaps in timely cancer detection.