TY - JOUR

T1 - Human papillomavirus self-sampling for screening nonattenders

T2 - Opt-in pilot implementation with electronic communication platforms

AU - Lam, Janni Uyen Hoa

AU - Rebolj, Matejka

AU - Ejegod, Ditte Møller

AU - Pedersen, Helle

AU - Rygaard, Carsten

AU - Lynge, Elsebeth

AU - Thomsen, Louise Thirstrup

AU - Kjær, Susanne Krüger

AU - Bonde, Jesper

PY - 2017/5/15

Y1 - 2017/5/15

N2 - In organized cervical screening programs, typically 25% of the invited women do not attend. The Copenhagen Self-sampling Initiative (CSi) aimed to gain experiences on participation among screening nonattenders in the Capital Region of Denmark. Here, we report on the effectiveness of different communication platforms used in the pilot with suggestions for strategies prior to a full-implementation. Moreover, an innovative approach using self-sampling brushes with unique radio frequency identification chips allowed for unprecedented levels patient identification safety. Nonattenders from the capital region of Denmark were identified via the organized national invitation module. Screening history was obtained via the nationwide pathology registry. Twenty-four thousand women were invited, and as an alternative to the regular communication platforms (letter and phone), women could request a home test via a mobile-friendly webpage. Instruction material and video-animation in several languages were made available online. Chi-square test was used to test differences. Out of all invited, 31.7% requested a home test, and 20% returned it to the laboratory. In addition, 10% were screened at the physician after receiving the invitation. Stratified by screening history, long-term unscreened women were less likely to participate than intermittently screened women (28% vs. 16%, p < 0.001). Of all contacts received, 64% (63–65) came via letter, and 31% (95CI: 30–32%) via webpage/mobile-app. Self-sampling was well-accepted among nonattenders. Adopting modern technology-based platforms into the current organized screening program would serve as a convenient communication method between health authority and citizens, allowing easy access for the citizen and reducing the work load in administrating self-sampling approaches.

AB - In organized cervical screening programs, typically 25% of the invited women do not attend. The Copenhagen Self-sampling Initiative (CSi) aimed to gain experiences on participation among screening nonattenders in the Capital Region of Denmark. Here, we report on the effectiveness of different communication platforms used in the pilot with suggestions for strategies prior to a full-implementation. Moreover, an innovative approach using self-sampling brushes with unique radio frequency identification chips allowed for unprecedented levels patient identification safety. Nonattenders from the capital region of Denmark were identified via the organized national invitation module. Screening history was obtained via the nationwide pathology registry. Twenty-four thousand women were invited, and as an alternative to the regular communication platforms (letter and phone), women could request a home test via a mobile-friendly webpage. Instruction material and video-animation in several languages were made available online. Chi-square test was used to test differences. Out of all invited, 31.7% requested a home test, and 20% returned it to the laboratory. In addition, 10% were screened at the physician after receiving the invitation. Stratified by screening history, long-term unscreened women were less likely to participate than intermittently screened women (28% vs. 16%, p < 0.001). Of all contacts received, 64% (63–65) came via letter, and 31% (95CI: 30–32%) via webpage/mobile-app. Self-sampling was well-accepted among nonattenders. Adopting modern technology-based platforms into the current organized screening program would serve as a convenient communication method between health authority and citizens, allowing easy access for the citizen and reducing the work load in administrating self-sampling approaches.

U2 - 10.1002/ijc.30647

DO - 10.1002/ijc.30647

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 28195317

VL - 140

SP - 2212

EP - 2219

JO - International Journal of Cancer

JF - International Journal of Cancer

SN - 0020-7136

IS - 10

ER -