Womens preferences and concerns on HPV screening sampling methods for cervical cancer in Ibadan, Nigeria: a cross-sectional study

Objectives This study assessed women's preferences and concerns on human papillomavirus (HPV) self-sample and healthcare provider (HCP) sample collections for cervical cancer screening in Ibadan, Nigeria. Design This was a cross-sectional study.

Settings Study was conducted in primary healthcare centres in selected peri-urban and urban communities in Ibadan, Nigeria. Participants A total of 620 sexually active women aged 25 - 65 years were recruited for the study.

Primary and secondary outcome measures The primary outcome was the preferred method of collecting cervico-vaginal sample (self-sampling or provider sampling) by women. Secondary outcomes were observed differences in preferences between women in urban and peri-urban communities, reasons for these preferences, concerns on each method of sample collection and preferred locations for self-sample collection.

Results Overall, more women preferred HCP sample collection (51.6%) than self-sampling collection (48.4%) (p=0.422). Self-sampling was more preferred among urban participants (53.7%), while HCP sample collection was more preferred among peri-urban participants (56.6%) (p=0.011).