Feasibility and acceptability of telehealth and contactless delivery of human papillomavirus (HPV) self-testing for cervical screening with Māori and Pacific women in a COVID-19 outbreak in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Bartholomew, Karen; Grant, Jane; Maxwell, Anna; Bromhead, Collette; Gillett, Fiona; Saraf, Rajneeta; Moodabe, Kate; Sherman, Susan Mary; McPherson, Georgina; Flower, Deralie; Kathuria, Jyoti; Crengle, Sue; Massey, Richard; Scott, Nina; Coote, Pania

Abstract

Aim: To determine the feasibility and acceptability of a telehealth offer and contactless delivery of human papillomavirus (HPV) cervical screening self-test during the 2021 COVID-19 Level 4 lockdown in Auckland, New Zealand.

Methods: A small proof-of-concept study was undertaken to test telehealth approaches in never-screened, due or overdue Māori and Pacific women enrolled in a local Primary Health Organisation (PHO). Study invitation, active follow-up, nurse-led discussions, result notification and a post-test questionnaire were all delivered through telehealth.

Results: A sample of 197 eligible Māori and Pacific women were invited to take part, of which 86 women were successfully contacted. Sixty-six agreed to take part. Overall uptake was 61 samples returned (31.8%) and uptake of all contactable women was 70.9%. Six of the 61 HPV self-tests (9.8%) were positive, all for non 16/18 types, and were referred for cytology. Three had negative cytology results, and three with positive cytology results were referred for colposcopy.

Conclusion: The offer of HPV self-testing during COVID-19 lockdown was both feasible and highly acceptable for Māori and Pacific women. Importantly, HPV self-testing via telehealth and mail-out, alongside other options, offers a potential pro-equity approach for addressing the impact of deferred screens due to COVID-19 and other longstanding coverage issues.

Citation

Bartholomew, K., Grant, J., Maxwell, A., Bromhead, C., Gillett, F., Saraf, R., …Coote, P. (2022). Feasibility and acceptability of telehealth and contactless delivery of human papillomavirus (HPV) self-testing for cervical screening with Māori and Pacific women in a COVID-19 outbreak in Aotearoa New Zealand. New Zealand Medical Journal, 135(1565), 83-94

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Nov 1, 2022
• Publication Date: 2022-11
• Deposit Date: Apr 12, 2024
• Journal: The New Zealand medical journal
• Print ISSN: 0028-8446
• Publisher: New Zealand Medical Association
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 135
• Issue: 1565
• Pages: 83-94
• Publisher URL: https://nzmj.org.nz/journal/vol-135-no-1565/feasibility-and-acceptability-of-telehealth-and-contactless-delivery-of-human-papillomavirus-hpv-self-testing-for-cervical-scree
• Related Public URLs: https://nzmj.org.nz/journal/vol-135-no-1565
• PMID: 36356272