The development of juntas contra el virus del papiloma humano: An HPV self-sampling intervention for underscreened...

BackgroundCervical cancer incidence remains higher among Latina women in the continental United States (US) and among women in Puerto Rico compared with non-Hispanic White women (NHW). Latinas remain more likely to die from cervical cancer than NHW women. Despite having one of the highest cervical cancer incidence rates, Latina women in the US are significantly less likely to undergo screening than NHW women. Multiple factors contribute to non-screening among Latinas including low access to healthcare services, racism/discrimination, and lack of culturally and linguistically adequate information. Emerging technologies supporting self-sampling for high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) testing may offer a valuable evidence-based strategy for empowering Latinas to engage in cervical cancer screening.ObjectiveThis study aimed to develop a culturally tailored, theoretically grounded intervention to promote HPV self-sampling among underscreened Latinas.DesignThis was a community-engaged qualitative intervention development study informed by focus groups and Community Advisory Board (CAB) meetings with underscreened Latinas and community stakeholders.MethodsWe conducted three focus groups, two in English with 20 participants and one in Spanish with 10 participants. Further, we convened two CAB meetings with a community-advisory board of 10 community members, including clinicians and behavioral health providers. Triangulation of data from the focus groups and CAB meetings informed the development of Juntas Contra el Virus del Papiloma Humano, a three-session online bilingual English and Spanish intervention to promote self-sampling for HPV testing.ResultsWe discuss the development of a culturally tailored, theoretically grounded HPV self-testing intervention for underscreened Latinas and share the findings from our intervention development process. We describe the content of each session, our protocols, and best practices for engaging Latinas and CAB members.ConclusionIf Juntas Contral El Virus del Papiloma Humano is found to be effective, the intervention will reach a vulnerable population to encourage screening and reduce cervical cancer.