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Exploring Autistic People's Experiences of and Attitudes Towards Cervical Screening: A Mixed-Methods Study
Shona Murdoch1, Bethany Donaghy1, Aimee Grant2
1Liverpool John Moores University, UK.
Autism : the International Journal of Research and Practice
|April 24, 2026
Summary
Cervical screening attendance is low in autistic individuals. Communication barriers and past negative healthcare experiences significantly impact autistic people's engagement with cervical screening services.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Autism Spectrum Disorder Research
- Gynecological Oncology
Background:
- Cervical screening attendance is suboptimal in the general population and significantly lower among autistic individuals.
- There is a lack of systematic research on the cervical screening experiences of autistic people.
- Understanding these experiences is crucial for improving screening uptake and outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the cervical screening experiences of autistic individuals in the United Kingdom.
- To identify factors influencing screening attendance in this population.
- To inform improvements in healthcare communication and accessibility for autistic people during cervical screening.
Main Methods:
- An online mixed-methods questionnaire was administered to 97 autistic individuals in the UK.
- Data collection included experiences of pain, sensory and communication issues, knowledge of cervical cancer, attitudes towards screening, and history of sexual assault.
- Qualitative analysis focused on identifying themes related to barriers in screening engagement.
Main Results:
- While quantitative analysis showed no association between pain, sensory/communication issues, or knowledge and attendance, qualitative findings revealed these as significant barriers.
- Two major themes emerged: "Communication disconnect across the care journey" and "Echoes of the past: the lasting impact of previous care encounters."
- Intention to attend screening was identified as important for actual attendance.
Conclusions:
- Effective healthcare communication and addressing accessibility needs are vital for improving cervical screening engagement among autistic people.
- Previous negative healthcare experiences significantly impact screening participation.
- Further development of appropriate measurement tools and targeted research are necessary to enhance cervical screening services for autistic individuals.
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