Improving Patient Education Materials for HPV Self-Collection: Insights from Women at High Risk of Developing Cervical Cancer.

Purpose: Women living with chronic conditions and/or living in poverty have a higher risk of developing cervical cancer compared to the general population due to lower rates of cervical cancer screening (CCS). Human papillomavirus (HPV) self-collection tests improve CCS rates in under-screened populations by reducing barriers. However, some women are concerned about the ability to adequately perform self-collected sampling for CCS. This study examined how existing HPV self-collection patient education materials can be enhanced to increase self-efficacy in self-collecting samples. Methods: We conducted three focus groups with 13 women living in zip codes associated with high poverty rates or chronic conditions in north central Florida. The Information-Motivation Behavioral Skills Model (IMB model) and the Patient Education Material Assessment Tool for Printable Materials (PEMAT-P) guided the focus group discussions. Focus group interviews were recorded and transcribed, and thematic analysis was used to analyze the data. Results: Opportunities for improvement included: (1) Discussion: This study helps to bridge the gap in studies aimed at enhancing participation in HPV self-collection by examining opportunities to improve current HPV self-collection printed patient education materials and instructions among women with increased cervical cancer risk. Participants identified opportunities to enhance language, visual aids, and inclusivity - factors that may improve women's confidence in self-collection and ultimately increase rates of CCS in underserved women.