Understanding the effect of new US cervical cancer screening guidelines and modalities on patients' comprehension and reporting of their cervical cancer screening behavior

With recent shifts in guideline-recommended cervical cancer screening in the U.S., it is important to accurately measure screening behavior. Previous studies have indicated the U.S. National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), a resource for measuring self-reported screening adherence, has lower validity among non-White racial/ethnic groups and non-English speakers. Further, measuring diverse population groups' comprehension of items and attitudes toward HPV self-sampling merits investigation as it is a modality likely to be recommended in the U.S. soon. This study cognitively tested NHIS items assessing recency of and reasons for receiving cervical cancer screening and attitudes toward HPV self-sampling. We conducted cognitive interviews between April 2021 -April 2022 in English and Spanish with individuals screened in the past two years by either a medical center in metropolitan Seattle, Washington or a safety-net healthcare system in Dallas, Texas. Interviews probed under-standing of reasons for screening, experiences with abnormal results, and interest in HPV self-sampling. We completed 32 interviews in Seattle and 42 interviews in Dallas. A majority of participants were unaware that two different tests for cervical cancer screening exist (Pap and HPV). Many did not know which type(s) of test they received. Dallas participants had more limited and inaccurate knowledge of HPV compared to Seattle partici-pants, and fewer responded favorably toward HPV self-sampling (32% vs. 55%). To improve comprehension and accurate reporting of cervical cancer screening, we suggest specific refinements to currently used survey ques-tions. Attitudes toward self-sampling should be explored further as differences may exist by region and/or sociodemographic factors.

Automated summary

With recent changes in cervical cancer screening guidelines in the U.S., accurately measuring screening behavior is crucial. The U.S. National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) has been found to have lower validity among non-White racial/ethnic groups and non-English speakers. This study examined the understanding of screening reasons, experiences with abnormal results, and attitudes toward HPV self-sampling among diverse population groups in Seattle, Washington and Dallas, Texas.