Experiences of human papillomavirus self-sampling by women >60 years old:A qualitative study.

Abstract

Human papillomavirus (HPV) self-sampling has shown to be acceptable and feasible across cultures and effective in reaching women who do not participate in regular cervical cancer screening. However, most of these studies have included younger women. There is a lack of knowledge of how older women reason about HPV self-sampling. The aim of this study was to describe how women (>60 years old) experience the offering of self-sampling of HPV, compared to having a sample collected by a healthcare professional. The study had a qualitative explorative design. Four focus group discussions were conducted with women 60-69 years old (n = 22). Data were analysed using principles of interpretive description. Five themes were identified: self-sampling-convenient and without pain, lack of knowledge, worries related to HPV self-sampling, need for information and taking a societal perspective. Women aged >60 years found that HPV self-sampling was convenient and easy to perform. Further, they stressed the importance of being able to remain in the screening programme in advanced age and that self-sampling could be a possible solution. This study also revealed a lack of knowledge among women in this age group regarding HPV infection, how the disease is transmitted and its relation to cervical cancer. Women who had performed HPV self-sampling participated in the focus group discussion.