TY - JOUR
T1 - Knowledge and Acceptability of Anal Cytology Screening among Women
AU - Blankenship, Stephanie A.
AU - Debnath, Priyanka
AU - Szlachta-Mcginn, Alec W.
AU - Maguire, Karla
AU - Garcia, Jorge J.
AU - Aserlind, Alexandra
AU - Lipshultz, Emma
AU - Potter, Jo Nell E.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2015 American Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology.
Copyright:
Copyright 2019 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.
PY - 2016/1/1
Y1 - 2016/1/1
N2 - Objective Medical providers have initiated anal cytology screening among women to detect anal neoplasia early. Lack of knowledge of the human papillomavirus (HPV) and anticipated screening discomfort may limit patient acceptance. This study investigates attitudes toward anal cytology screening among women. Materials and Methods Women seen for gynecologic care at an urban university medical center were invited to complete an anonymous survey assessing their understanding of HPV and interest in anal cytology screening. Subjects reported the level of pain, discomfort, and embarrassment they expected from screening on a 100-mm visual analog scale. Results Four hundred four women with mean (SD) age 36 (13) years met criteria for participation. Three hundred thirty-five women reported their race: 52% were white and 36% were African American. Three hundred forty-eight women reported their ethnicities: 76% were Hispanic and 12% were Haitian. Twenty-two percent had never heard of HPV, 57% were not familiar with anal cytology screening, 67% acknowledged that screening was very helpful in detecting anal neoplasia early, and 28% were very interested in undergoing screening. Mean (SD) level of anticipated pain, discomfort, and embarrassment during screening was 62 (32), 68 (30), and 58 (34) mm, respectively. Level of familiarity with anal cytology screening (p <.001), belief in its utility in detecting anal neoplasia (p <.001), and level of anticipated pain (p =.004) were significant predictors of acceptability. Conclusions Medical providers should improve counseling about anal cytology screening among at-risk women to familiarize them with the procedure, describe its role in detecting anal neoplasia, and address expectations surrounding pain to increase its acceptability.
AB - Objective Medical providers have initiated anal cytology screening among women to detect anal neoplasia early. Lack of knowledge of the human papillomavirus (HPV) and anticipated screening discomfort may limit patient acceptance. This study investigates attitudes toward anal cytology screening among women. Materials and Methods Women seen for gynecologic care at an urban university medical center were invited to complete an anonymous survey assessing their understanding of HPV and interest in anal cytology screening. Subjects reported the level of pain, discomfort, and embarrassment they expected from screening on a 100-mm visual analog scale. Results Four hundred four women with mean (SD) age 36 (13) years met criteria for participation. Three hundred thirty-five women reported their race: 52% were white and 36% were African American. Three hundred forty-eight women reported their ethnicities: 76% were Hispanic and 12% were Haitian. Twenty-two percent had never heard of HPV, 57% were not familiar with anal cytology screening, 67% acknowledged that screening was very helpful in detecting anal neoplasia early, and 28% were very interested in undergoing screening. Mean (SD) level of anticipated pain, discomfort, and embarrassment during screening was 62 (32), 68 (30), and 58 (34) mm, respectively. Level of familiarity with anal cytology screening (p <.001), belief in its utility in detecting anal neoplasia (p <.001), and level of anticipated pain (p =.004) were significant predictors of acceptability. Conclusions Medical providers should improve counseling about anal cytology screening among at-risk women to familiarize them with the procedure, describe its role in detecting anal neoplasia, and address expectations surrounding pain to increase its acceptability.
KW - anal cancer
KW - cytology
KW - human papillomavirus
KW - risk factors
KW - screening
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U2 - 10.1097/LGT.0000000000000151
DO - 10.1097/LGT.0000000000000151
M3 - Article
C2 - 26461234
AN - SCOPUS:84952873450
VL - 20
SP - 90
EP - 96
JO - Journal of Lower Genital Tract Disease
JF - Journal of Lower Genital Tract Disease
SN - 1089-2591
IS - 1
ER -