Barriers to cervical screening for under-screened individuals
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Groups under-represented in cervical screenings: experiences, access barriers and self-sampling as alternative screening methods
IRAS ID
319639
Contact name
Stephanie Gillibrand
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
The University of Manchester
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 8 months, 30 days
Research summary
There are clear differences in cervical screening attendance for different groups according to factors such as health, income, ethnicity and age. Many of the barriers to screening link closely to the cervical sampling method of screening ((i.e. smear testing) and therefore this has been a focus of research in this space. Recent developments on the potential use of self-sampling methods for cervical screening, including vaginal and urine sampling provide a potentially less intrusive method. However, research is needed to explore how this may address inequalities in screening uptake for different groups.
The planned study is funded by the NIHR School for Primary Care Research (NIHR SPCR)
and through two work packages, spanning nine months (October 2022- July 2023), it aims to understand the barriers to screening for under-screened groups, to reduce barriers to screening services and improve care.Work Package 1 entails quantitative analysis of screenings levels at the GP Practice level in Greater Manchester. Using linked data across the Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) dataset, the Greater Manchester Integrated Care Record, and the Quality and Outcomes Framework, we will assess rates of screening at the GP practice level and assess how this varies by the prevalence of health conditions and by social deprivation (as measured via the IMD).
Work Package 2:
We will use semi-structured interviews and focus groups with under-screened groups, including younger women and those with health conditions, as well as primary care staff. We aim to recruit up to 35 members of the public and between 5-10 health-care professionals across Greater Manchester. GP practices with the lowest screening levels will be identified by analysing an existing database. Some of these practises will be used to recruit patients for the interviews and staff for the interviews and focus groups.REC name
West Midlands - Black Country Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
22/WM/0269
Date of REC Opinion
1 Feb 2023
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion