Table 4.

Participant knowledge regarding HPV testing options

SURVEY QUESTION AND POSSIBLE RESPONSESOVERALL (N=413), n (%)FAMILY PRACTICE PARTICIPANTS (n=234), n (%)SOCIAL MEDIA PARTICIPANTS (n=179), n (%)P VALUE
Based on your current knowledge, do you think HPV testing would be better than Pap testing?.03

  • Yes

115 (27.8)53 (22.7)62 (34.6)

  • No

40 (9.7)28 (11.9)12 (6.7)

  • Unsure

251 (60.8)149 (63.7)102 (57.0)

  • Missing data

7 (1.7)4 (1.7)3 (1.7)
Are you aware of the option of self-sampling for cervical cancer screening?.03

  • Yes

48 (11.6)20 (8.5)28 (15.6)

  • No

343 (83.1)205 (87.6)138 (77.1)

  • Unsure

15 (3.6)5 (2.1)10 (5.6)

  • Missing data

7 (1.7)4 (1.7)3 (1.7)
Do you agree people with a cervix should be given the option of HPV self-sampling?.77

  • Not at all

3 (0.7)3 (1.3)0 (0)

  • Minimally agree

6 (1.5)3 (1.3)3 (1.7)

  • Neutral

26 (6.3)14 (5.9)12 (6.7)

  • Moderately agree

77 (18.6)41 (17.5)36 (20.1)

  • Strongly agree

291 (70.5)167 (71.4)124 (69.3)

  • Missing data

10 (2.4)6 (2.6)4 (2.2)
In the future, what method would you prefer for cervical cancer screening?.06

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

141 (34.1)83 (35.5)58 (32.4)

  • I’d prefer to take my own sample

191 (46.2)95 (40.6)96 (53.6)

  • I’d prefer to continue with Pap testing

27 (6.5)19 (8.1)8 (4.5)

  • I don’t know

45 (10.9)31 (13.2)14 (7.8)

  • Missing data

9 (2.2)6 (2.6)3 (1.7)
For most people, a Pap test should occur:<.01

  • Every year

76 (18.4)56 (23.9)20 (11.2)

  • Every 3 years

309 (74.8)162 (69.2)147 (82.1)

  • Every 5 years

12 (2.9)8 (3.4)4 (2.2)

  • Missing data

16 (3.9)8 (3.4)8 (4.5)
I’d prefer cervical cancer screening to occur:.02

  • Every year

207 (50.1)133 (56.8)74 (41.4)

  • Every 3 years

151 (36.6)72 (30.8)79 (44.1)

  • Every 5 years

36 (8.7)19 (8.1)17 (9.5)

  • Missing data

19 (4.6)10 (4.3)9 (5.0)
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:<.01

  • Every year

68 (16.5)47 (20.1)21 (11.7)

  • Every 3 years

147 (35.6)95 (40.6)52 (29.1)

  • Every 5 years

181 (43.8)85 (36.3)96 (53.6)

  • Missing data

17 (4.1)7 (3.0)10 (5.6)
There is new technology looking at 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:.55

  • I’d prefer a Pap test

8 (1.9)6 (2.6)2 (1.1)

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

63 (15.3)40 (17.1)23 (12.8)

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

89 (21.5)47 (20.1)42 (23.5)

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

237 (57.4)133 (56.8)104 (58.1)

  • Missing data

16 (3.9)8 (3.4)8 (4.5)

  • HPV—human papillomavirus, Pap—Papanicolaou.