Investigating the acceptability of cervical screening, using conventional clinician-taken cervical samples or urine self-sampling, at 6 weeks postnatal: A cross-sectional questionnaire.
Loading...
Authors
Cullimore, Victoria
Newhouse, Rebecca
Baker-Rand, Holly
Chu, Kim
Sundar, Sudha
Crosbie, Emma J
McWilliams, Lorna
Morrison, Jo
Issue Date
2025-07-21
Type
Journal Article
Language
en
Keywords
Cervical screening , HPV testing , acceptability , mixed methods , postnatal , pregnancy , self-sampling
Alternative Title
Abstract
ObjectivesUnited Kingdom (UK) guidelines recommend delaying cervical screening due during pregnancy to 12 weeks postnatal, despite a lack of supporting evidence. This questionnaire-based study aimed to determine the feasibility of a clinical study of cervical screening and urine self-sampling for human papillomavirus (HPV) at 6 weeks postnatal, as pilot work suggested this would improve uptake, if offered at the routine postnatal check-up.MethodsFemales who were pregnant/recently pregnant were invited to participate in a web-based questionnaire. Questions assessed acceptability of postnatal cervical screening at 6 weeks postnatal, analysed with chi-square, Fisher's exact and Mann-Whitney tests. Free-text responses were coded using the Theoretical Framework of Acceptability (TFA) to conduct a qualitative content analysis.ResultsAmong the 454 participants, 266 (58.6%) would be more likely to undergo cervical screening if offered at 6 weeks postnatal, and an even higher proportion expressed increased willingness if urine self-sampling were offered ( = 338; 74.4%). Two-thirds (308/454; 67.8%) would be willing to be screened at 6 weeks postnatal for a research study and 356/454 (78.4%) if it would be limited only to urine self-sampling. When considering screening modality, over half (245/454; 54%) would prefer urine self-sampling to cervical screening, although a fifth (93/454; 21%) preferred conventional sampling. Free-text responses were provided by 279 participants, and these highlighted that affective attitude and burden TFA constructs underpinned prospective acceptability of having screening at 6 weeks postnatal.ConclusionsOffering cervical screening at the 6-week postnatal check-up has potential to increase cervical screening participation. Most participants would be interested in taking part in the research. The feasibility of screening at 6 weeks postnatal and concurrent acceptability should be tested in pilot clinical studies.
Description
Citation
Cullimore, V. et al. (2025) 'Investigating the acceptability of cervical screening, using conventional clinician-taken cervical samples or urine self-sampling, at 6 weeks postnatal: A cross-sectional questionnaire', Journal of Medical Screening. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1177/09691413251358626
Publisher
Sage
License
Journal
Journal of medical screening
Volume
Issue
PubMed ID
ISSN
1475-5793