AYEScreen Work Package 1: Qualitative Study
Research type
Research Study
Full title
AYEScreen: Using HPV Self-Sampling to Increase AccessibilitY, Equity, and Participation in Scotland’s National Cervical Screening Programme (Work Package 1)
IRAS ID
363750
Contact name
Sharon J.B. Hanley
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Grampian Clinical Research Office
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 4 months, 29 days
Research summary
The main cause of cervical cancer is infection with a common virus called the human papillomavirus, or HPV. Around 14 HPV types cause cancer. These are called high-risk HPV (hr-HPV). Cervical cancer is preventable and curable if found early. Between 300-400 women and people with a cervix (W/PWC) are diagnosed with cervical cancer in Scotland and 100 people die every year. Cervical cancer deaths are four times higher in people living in the most deprived areas compared to those in the least deprived.
During cervical screening a nurse inserts a device called a speculum into the vagina and takes a sample to check for hr-HPV. Most cervical cancers are in people who are overdue for screening. There are many reasons why people do not attend screening. These include feeling embarrassed or uncomfortable, being afraid of the test or the results, and practical difficulties such as time, cost, and access to screening.
Self-sampling for a hr-HPV could help overcome these barriers. It allows individuals to take their own vaginal sample using a long cotton bud at a time and place of their choice. Self-sampling was included in the Scottish Government’s 2021-2024 Women’s Health Plan, but no large implementation studies have taken place. The AYEScreen study will evaluate how best to introduce HPV self-sampling in Scotland, especially among the most disadvantaged and rural/remote populations.
Work package 1 of the AYEScreen study is a qualitative study that will assess knowledge of attitudes towards, and acceptance of self-sampling in under-screened W/PWC and primary care professionals (PCP). This will include focus groups with 96 under-screened W/PWC aged 25-64yrs living in rural/remote areas and areas of high socio-economic disadvantage. Semi-structured interviews will also be conducted with 20 PCP (GPs/nurses/admin staff) involved in cervical screening. Participants will be recruited by the NHS Research Scotland Primary Care Network.
REC name
West of Scotland REC 5
REC reference
26/WS/0026
Date of REC Opinion
11 Feb 2026
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion