Enhancing Cervical Cancer Screening Among Northern Thai Women: Satisfaction with Self-Collected HPV DNA Testing under...

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Gynecologic Oncology
• Molecular Diagnostics

Background:

• Cervical cancer poses a significant health challenge in Thailand, with low screening participation rates in Northern regions due to accessibility and comfort barriers.
• Traditional screening methods face challenges in reaching women in Northern Thailand, necessitating alternative approaches.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate women's satisfaction with self-collected HPV DNA testing for cervical cancer screening.
• To identify factors influencing the acceptance of self-collected HPV DNA testing to improve screening uptake in Thailand.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving 299 women aged 30-60 years was conducted.
• Participants completed self-collection of HPV DNA samples after a demonstration and a satisfaction survey.
• Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and logistic regression to determine predictors of screening intention.

Main Results:

• High satisfaction was reported, with 85.95% finding self-collection improved accessibility and 100% finding it easy.
• Mean satisfaction scores for accessibility, effectiveness, and reliability were all above 4.8/5.
• High-quality samples were confirmed, and higher education levels significantly predicted screening intention (OR=17.61, p=0.039).

Conclusions:

• Self-collected HPV DNA testing is a highly satisfactory method for cervical cancer screening.
• This approach can effectively enhance national screening programs, particularly in areas with limited access and for underserved populations.