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

Rahma S Mkuu,1 Sara Tohme,1 Daniela Rivero-Mendoza,1 Ramzi G Salloum,1 Dianne Goede,2 Bradley Bruggeman,3 Kaitlin Nicholson,3 Jaclyn M Hall,1 Carma Bylund,1 Jennifer N Woodard,4 Jamie Hensley,4 Elizabeth A Shenkman,1 William T Donahoo,5 Aman Mulugeta,1 Melody Hernandez,1 Stephanie A Staras1 1Department of Health Outcomes and Biomedical Informatics, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA; 2Department of Internal Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA; 3Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA; 4Office of Community Outreach and Engagement, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA; 5Department of Medicine, Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USACorrespondence: Rahma S Mkuu, Department of Health Outcomes and Biomedical Informatics, University of Florida, 1889 Museum Road, Suite 7000, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA, Email rmkuu@ufl.eduPurpose: 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) ...