Table 3.

Participant knowledge regarding HPV testing options for those who have not had a Pap test in the past 3 years

SURVEY QUESTION AND POSSIBLE RESPONSESOVERALL (N=35), n (%)FAMILY PRACTICE PARTICIPANTS (n=17), n (%)SOCIAL MEDIA PARTICIPANTS (n=18), n (%)P VALUE
Based on your current knowledge, do you think HPV testing would be better than Pap testing?.04

  • Yes

13 (37.1)3 (17.7)10 (55.6)

  • No

2 (5.7)1 (5.9)1 (5.6)

  • Unsure

20 (57.2)13 (76.5)7 (38.9)
Are you aware of the option of self-sampling for cervical cancer screening?.16

  • Yes

3 (8.6)0 (0)3 (16.7)

  • No

31 (88.6)17 (100)14 (77.8)

  • Unsure

1 (2.9)0 (0)1 (5.6)
Do you agree people with a cervix should be given the option of HPV self-sampling?.66

  • Not at all

0 (0)0 (0)0 (0)

  • Minimally agree

0 (0)0 (0)0 (0)

  • Neutral

2 (5.7)0 (0)2 (11.1)

  • Moderately agree

5 (14.3)3 (17.7)2 (11.1)

  • Strongly agree

28 (80.0)14 (82.4)14 (77.8)
In the future, what method would you prefer for cervical cancer screening?.32

  • I’d prefer the provider to take an HPV sample

7 (20.0)4 (23.5)3 (16.7)

  • I’d prefer to take my own sample

24 (68.6)11 (64.7)13 (72.2)

  • I’d prefer to continue with Pap testing

2 (5.7)2 (11.8)0 (0)

  • I don’t know

2 (5.7)0 (0)2 (11.1)
For most people, a Pap test should occur:.63

  • Every year

4 (11.4)3 (17.7)1 (5.6)

  • Every 3 years

27 (77.1)12 (70.6)15 (83.3)

  • Every 5 years

4 (11.4)2 (11.8)2 (11.1)
I’d prefer cervical cancer screening to occur:.57

  • Every year

15 (42.9)9 (52.9)6 (33.3)

  • Every 3 years

11 (31.4)4 (23.5)7 (38.9)

  • Every 5 years

9 (25.7)4 (23.5)5 (27.8)
HPV testing is so much more accurate than Pap testing that, for most people, a negative HPV test makes it safe to have an HPV test every 5 years. The risk of over testing is doing the test too often finds many minor abnormalities that correct on their own and can lead to stress and unnecessary treatment. Given this information, I’d prefer HPV testing to occur:.30

  • Every year

2 (5.7)2 (11.8)0 (0)

  • Every 3 years

7 (20.0)4 (23.5)3 (16.7)

  • Every 5 years

26 (74.3)11 (64.7)15 (83.3)
There is new technology examining the ability to detect HPV in urine (pee) samples. If urine samples have similar accuracy to HPV tests that are collected by swabs, what would you prefer:.85

  • I’d prefer a Pap test

0 (0)0 (0)0 (0)

  • I’d prefer a provider-acquired HPV test (clinician uses speculum to obtain cervix swab)

1 (2.9)1 (5.9)0 (0)

  • I’d prefer HPV self-sampling (I collect a vaginal swab)

10 (28.6)5 (29.4)5 (27.8)

  • I’d prefer giving a urine sample to test for HPV

24 (68.6)11 (64.7)13 (72.2)

  • HPV—human papillomavirus, Pap—Papanicolaou.