Human Papillomavirus Self-Sampling Attitudes Amongst Women Living with HIV Prior to a Self-Sampling Intervention

Background/Objectives: Our objective was to determine the acceptability of and attitudes towards HPV self-sampling among women with HIV and investigate any associations between self-sampling attitudes and participant demographic and clinical characteristics. Methods: Women with HIV aged 18-45 were given a description of HPV self-sampling and instructions on how to self-collect the sample. Participants completed a questionnaire assessing their perceptions of the acceptability and comfort of HPV self-sampling before using the self-sampling methodology. Responses were based on a 5-point Likert scale (strongly agree to strongly disagree) for each statement. Participants' characteristics were included in bivariate analysis. Chi-square and Fisher's exact tests were used to assess associations between questionnaire results and participant characteristics. Results: Of the 117 completed questionnaires, 79.6% of participants had a CD4+ T cell count ≥ 500 cells/mm³. Participants' median age was 39 (IQR 34-43). One hundred participants (85.5%) felt confident they could collect their samples correctly, and 77.8% did not think they would experience difficulties with self-collection. Most participants (68.4%) preferred to self-collect their sample instead of provider-collected sampling. Ninety-six participants (82.1%) agreed they would likely use self-collection methods for future cervical screening. Many participants were concerned about receiving a positive HPV result (68.4%), passing HPV on to their partner(s) (75.7%), and disclosing their HPV status to friends/family (49.6%). Conclusions: Women with HIV seem to be accepting of HPV self-sampling as a cervical cancer screening methodology; however, many participants were concerned about the implications associated with a positive HPV test result.