Abstract PO-255: Cervical cancer prevention and HPV self-sampling awareness and acceptability among women living with HIV: A qualitative investigation from the patients' and providers' perspectives

Abstract

Abstract Background: Women living with HIV (WLH) bear a disproportionate risk of invasive cervical cancer due to greater incidence and longer persistence of high-risk HPV infection. Emerging strategies that involve women collecting their own cervicovaginal sample as an alternative to traditional office-based HPV screening may be a promising approach to reach women who face several obstacles to timely care, such as WLH. Little is known, however, about the facilitators and barriers to HPV self-sampling uptake that may be unique to this particularly vulnerable population. Purpose: This study describes their knowledge, experiences, and needs regarding cervical cancer screening, specifically HPV self-sampling, and seeks to reconcile it with the views of their providers' who have been proven to have great influences on their patients' decision-making processes. Methods: In this qualitative study, we recruited 10 providers and 39 WLH from the Washington DC metropolitan region to participate in semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions. Emergent themes were assessed using an inductive process, employing an open coding method. Results: Knowledge of cervical cancer and HPV was generally limited among WLH; and as expressed by the providers, was often fueled by proximity to someone affected by cervical cancer or personal experience. Most WLH were not familiar with HPV self-sampling: but despite some of the providers' skepticism, expressed their willingness to try it. While some providers worried that it would be an added burden, the WLH highlighted convenience, ease of use, and affordability as facilitators to the uptake of HPV self-sampling. Conclusions: The experiences identified herein may be used to (1) inform tailored interventions designed to increase cervical cancer prevention among under-screened WLH and (2) guide patient-centered communication strategies to improve engagement, patient satisfaction, quality of life, and health outcomes among vulnerable populations. Citation Format: Daisy Le, Annie Coriolan Ciceron, Min (Jaime) Jeong Jeon, Jose Bordon, Jeanne Jordan, Anne Monroe. Cervical cancer prevention and HPV self-sampling awareness and acceptability among women living with HIV: A qualitative investigation from the patients' and providers' perspectives [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Virtual Conference: 14th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2021 Oct 6-8. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2022;31(1 Suppl):Abstract nr PO-255.