Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42277744›Full record

SynthesisBMC public health2026

What are the views and experiences of human papillomavirus (HPV) self-sampling for cervical screening in high-income countries? A qualitative systematic review using the Theoretical Domains Framework.

Alice Le Bonniec, Sinéad Woods, Therese McGlacken, Mairead O'Connor, Estelle McLaughlin, Therese Mooney, Patricia Fitzpatrick, Noirin E Russell, Caroline Mason Mohan, Laura Heavey

Abstract readSystematic Review
In one paragraph

Synthesis in BMC public health, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors.

Alice Le BonniecDepartment of Public Health Medicine, National Screening Service, Dublin, Ireland. alice.lebonniec@screeningservice.ie.
Sinéad WoodsDepartment of Public Health Medicine, National Screening Service, Dublin, Ireland.
Therese McGlackenDepartment of Public Health Medicine, National Screening Service, Dublin, Ireland.
Mairead O'ConnorProgramme Evaluation Unit, National Screening Service, Dublin, Ireland.
Estelle McLaughlinDepartment of Public Health Medicine, National Screening Service, Dublin, Ireland.
Therese MooneyProgramme Evaluation Unit, National Screening Service, Dublin, Ireland.
Patricia FitzpatrickProgramme Evaluation Unit, National Screening Service, Dublin, Ireland.
Noirin E RussellCervicalCheck, National Screening Service, Dublin, Ireland.
Caroline Mason MohanDepartment of Public Health Medicine, National Screening Service, Dublin, Ireland.
Laura HeaveyDepartment of Public Health Medicine, National Screening Service, Dublin, Ireland.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundWorldwide, cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women. Screening reduces cervical cancer mortality through detection of early-stage cancers and identification and treatment of precancers. Human papillomavirus (HPV) self-sampling is a novel addition to clinician-collected sampling that may help increase screening uptake. This systematic review aimed to assess the views and experiences of HPV self-sampling in high-income countries populations at varying stages of self-sampling implementation.

methodsSystematic searches were conducted in PubMed, PsycINFO, EMBASE, and CINAHL in April 2024. Qualitative and mixed-methods studies were included. The findings were mapped to the specific domains of the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF). Study quality was assessed using the qualitative CASP checklist.

findingsThirty-six studies were included. The review identified 19 sub-categories within the TDF (13 initial domains and 6 subcategories in the "environmental context and resources domain"). The most commonly identified themes, reflecting both positive and negative views and experiences of self-sampling, related to the following TDF categories: "knowledge"; "skills"; "beliefs about capabilities" (concerns about performing the self-test correctly); "beliefs about consequences" (concerns about test reliability); "intentions"; "social influences" (religion, cultural beliefs); "emotions" (fear, embarrassment) and "environmental context and resources" (autonomy, privacy, convenience). In the latter, previous negative experiences with procedures performed by providers were often reported, enhancing the interest for self-sampling. DISCUSSION: The findings can inform and help to adapt or modify the implementation of HPV self-sampling by anticipating the needs of and challenges faced by the eligible populations. Clear instructions on how to perform the test should be provided. While the findings suggest that providing multiple methods for accessing the kit (e.g., by mail or in clinics) may be optimal, further research is needed to assess feasibility.

Indexed as

Developed CountriesEarly Detection of CancerHuman Papillomavirus VirusesMass ScreeningPapillomaviridaePapillomavirus InfectionsSelf CareSpecimen HandlingUterine Cervical NeoplasmsFemaleHealth Knowledge, Attitudes, PracticeHumansQualitative ResearchCervical screeningHigh-income countriesHPV self-samplingQualitativeSystematic reviewTheoretical Domains Framework

Identifiers

PMID42277744
PMCPMC13483697

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.