Attitudes to Postnatal Instead of Normally-Timed Cervical Screening
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Investigating the acceptability of cervical screening and self-sampling in postnatal women at 6-week postnatal check
IRAS ID
321358
Contact name
Holly Baker-Rand
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Somerset Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 6 months, 30 days
Research summary
Lay summary of study results:
This study was a webbased anonlymous survery, which included analysis of free text repsonses explored whether new mothers would find it acceptable to have cervical screening at their routine 6-week postnatal check-up, instead of waiting until 12 weeks, whether they would prefer a urine test over the traditional smear test, and whether they would be willing to be part of a reasearch study to investigate whether these alternatives were accurate. A further part of the study has been submitted for publication, which involved interviews with recent birth parents.Interest in Screening at 6 Weeks: About two-thirds of women (68%) said they would be willing to take part in a research study offering cervical screening at 6 weeks after giving birth. This number rose to 78% if the test was a simple urine sample instead of the usual speculum-based smear.
Convenience Matters: Many women felt that combining cervical screening with the 6-week check-up would make life easier, as it would avoid extra appointments during a busy time caring for a newborn.
Preference for Urine Testing: Around 74% said they would be more likely to attend screening at 6 weeks if it was a urine test. Over half (54%) preferred the idea of urine self-sampling to the traditional smear test, mainly because it felt less invasive and more comfortable after childbirth.
Concerns About Timing and Accuracy: Some women worried that 6 weeks might be too soon after birth, especially if they had a difficult delivery or were still healing. Others questioned whether urine testing was as accurate as the traditional method.
Key Themes from Comments: Women highlighted issues like pain, embarrassment, birth trauma, and practical challenges. However, many agreed that making screening more convenient and offering choices could help improve uptake.
This study was a webbased anonlymous survery, which included analysis of free text repsonses explored whether new mothers would find it acceptable to have cervical screening at their routine 6-week postnatal check-up, instead of waiting until 12 weeks, whether they would prefer a urine test over the traditional smear test, and whether they would be willing to be part of a reasearch study to investigate whether these alternatives were accurate. A further part of the study has been submitted for publication, which involved interviews with recent birth parents.
Interest in Screening at 6 Weeks: About two-thirds of women (68%) said they would be willing to take part in a research study offering cervical screening at 6 weeks after giving birth. This number rose to 78% if the test was a simple urine sample instead of the usual speculum-based smear.
Convenience Matters: Many women felt that combining cervical screening with the 6-week check-up would make life easier, as it would avoid extra appointments during a busy time caring for a newborn.
Preference for Urine Testing: Around 74% said they would be more likely to attend screening at 6 weeks if it was a urine test. Over half (54%) preferred the idea of urine self-sampling to the traditional smear test, mainly because it felt less invasive and more comfortable after childbirth.
Concerns About Timing and Accuracy: Some women worried that 6 weeks might be too soon after birth, especially if they had a difficult delivery or were still healing. Others questioned whether urine testing was as accurate as the traditional method.
Key Themes from Comments: Women highlighted issues like pain, embarrassment, birth trauma, and practical challenges. However, many agreed that making screening more convenient and offering choices could help improve uptake.
Cervix cancer is most common in women aged 25-34 years old. There are 3200 new cervix cancer cases in the United Kingdom each year. Currently only 6 in 10 women attend their cervical screening. The screening detects the virus that puts women at high risk of developing abnormal cells on the cervix which over a long time can change to cervix cancer. If a woman is due to have her screening and has just had a baby then she has to wait until 12 weeks after she has given birth to be screened. All women have a medical review 6 weeks after having a baby.
We want to understand what women feel are the barriers to attending screening, and what would be the most acceptable type of screening and timing of this after giving birth.
REC name
South Central - Hampshire A Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
23/SC/0082
Date of REC Opinion
28 Feb 2023
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion