Publication:
How Do Women Interpret the NHS Information Leaflet about Cervical Cancer Screening?

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Date

2019-09-26

Authors

Okan, Yasmina
Petrova, Dafina
Smith, Samuel G
Lesic, Vedran
Bruine de Bruin, Wändi

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Abstract

Background. Organized screening programs often rely on written materials to inform the public. In the United Kingdom, women invited for cervical cancer screening receive a leaflet from the National Health Service (NHS) to support screening decisions. However, information about screening may be too complex for people to understand, potentially hindering informed decision making. Objectives. We aimed to identify women's difficulties in interpreting the leaflet used in England and negative and positive responses to the leaflet. Methods. We used a sequential mixed-methods design involving 2 steps: cognitive think-aloud interviews (n = 20), followed by an England-wide survey (n = 602). Data were collected between June 2017 and December 2018, and participants included women aged 25 to 64 y with varying sociodemographics. Results. Interview results revealed misunderstandings concerning screening results, benefits, and additional tests and treatment, although participants tended to react positively to numerical information. Participants were often unfamiliar with the potential harms associated with screening (i.e., screening risks), key aspects of human papillomavirus, and complex terms (e.g., dyskaryosis). Survey results indicated that interpretation difficulties were common (M correct items = 12.5 of 23). Lower understanding was associated with lower educational level (β's >0.15, P's 0.15, P's

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MeSH Terms

Adult
Comprehension
Decision Making
Early Detection of Cancer
England
Female
Health Education
Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
Humans
Interview, Psychological
Mass Screening
Middle Aged
Pamphlets
Risk Factors
Self Report
State Medicine
Uterine Cervical Neoplasms

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Keywords

cancer screening, cervical cancer, informed decision making, patient information, risk communication

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