Development of a text message-based intervention for follow-up colposcopy among predominately underserved Black and Hispanic/Latinx women

Maria Sansoni, Erin K. Tagai, Emmanuel Lapitan, Kuang Yi Wen, Jenny Xu, Andrew Belfiglio, Shawna V. Hudson, Racquel E. Kohler, Enrique Hernandez, Suzanne M. Miller

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

8 Scopus citations

Abstract

Purpose: Underserved Black and Hispanic/Latinx women show low rates of follow-up care after an abnormal Pap test, despite the fact that cervical cancer is one of the few preventable cancers if detected early. However, extant literature falls short on efficacious interventions to increase follow-up for this population. A concurrent mixed methods study was completed to evaluate the acceptability of a text message-based intervention and identify perceived barriers and facilitators to follow-up after an abnormal Pap test among underserved predominantly Black and Hispanic/Latinx women. Methods: Patients who completed follow-up for an abnormal Pap test were recruited to complete a cross-sectional survey, qualitative interview assessing barriers and facilitators to follow-up, and text message content evaluation (N = 28). Descriptive statistics were performed to describe background variables and to evaluate the acceptability of text messages. A directed content analysis was completed for the qualitative interviews. Results: Participants expressed interest in a text message-based intervention to increase abnormal Pap test follow-up. In the qualitative interviews, low knowledge about cervical risk and negative affect toward colposcopy/test results were identified as barriers to follow-up. Facilitators of follow-up included feeling relieved after the colposcopy and adequate social support. Participants rated the text messages as understandable, personally relevant, and culturally appropriate. Conclusion: The findings suggest that underserved Black and Hispanic/Latinx women experience cognitive and emotional barriers that undermine their ability to obtain follow-up care and a text message-based intervention may help women overcome these barriers. Future research should develop and evaluate text message-based interventions to enhance follow-up after an abnormal Pap test.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)861-873
Number of pages13
JournalCancer Causes and Control
Volume33
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 2022

Keywords

  • Colposcopy/psychology
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Hispanic or Latino
  • Humans
  • Papanicolaou Test/psychology
  • Pregnancy
  • Text Messaging
  • Vaginal Smears

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