1. HPV self-sampling acceptability and preferences among women living with HIV in Botswana.
- Author
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Kohler, Racquel E., Elliott, Tamara, Monare, Barati, Moshashane, Neo, Ramontshonyana, Kehumile, Chatterjee, Pritha, Ramogola‐Masire, Doreen, Morroni, Chelsea, and Ramogola-Masire, Doreen
- Subjects
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HIV-positive women , *PAPILLOMAVIRUSES , *CELL phones , *CERVICAL cancer , *TELEPHONE calls , *PAPILLOMAVIRUS disease diagnosis , *HIV infection complications , *COLLECTION & preservation of biological specimens , *CLINICS , *MEDICAL screening , *PAPILLOMAVIRUS diseases , *PATIENT satisfaction , *RESEARCH funding , *HEALTH self-care , *CROSS-sectional method ,CERVIX uteri tumors - Abstract
Objective: To assess the acceptability and preferences of HPV screening with self-sampling and mobile phone results delivery among women living with HIV (WLWH) in Botswana, as an alternative to traditional speculum screening.Methods: WLWH aged 25 years or older attending an infectious disease clinic in Gaborone were enrolled in a cross-sectional study between March and April 2017. Women self-sampled with a flocked swab, had a speculum exam, and completed an interviewer-administered questionnaire about screening acceptability, experiences, and preferences.Results: Of the 104 WLWH recruited, 98 (94%) had a history of traditional screening. Over 90% agreed self-sampling was easy and comfortable. Ninety-five percent were willing to self-sample again; however, only 19% preferred self-sampling over speculum exam for future screening. Preferences differed by education and residence with self-sampling being considered more convenient, easier, less embarrassing, and less painful. Speculum exams were preferred because of trust in providers' skills and women's low self-efficacy to sample correctly. Almost half (47%) preferred to receive results via mobile phone call. Knowledge of cervical cancer did not affect preferences.Conclusion: HPV self-sampling is acceptable among WLWH in Botswana; however, preferences vary. Although self-sampling is an important alternative to traditional speculum screening, education and support will be critical to address women's low self-efficacy to self-sample correctly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]- Published
- 2019
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