Cervical cancer screening in a sexually transmitted disease clinic: Screening adoption experiences from a midwestern clinic

Beth E. Meyerson*, M. Aaron Sayegh, Alissa Davis, Janet N. Arno, Gregory D. Zimet, Ann M. LeMonte, James A. Williams, Lynn Barclay, Barbara Van Der Pol

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

3 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objectives: We examined whether a sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinic could reach women who had not received a Papanicolau (Pap) test in the past 3 years. We also explored staff attitudes and implementation of cervical cancer screening. Methods: Women (n = 123) aged 30 to 50 years were offered cervical cancer screening in an Indiana STD clinic. We measured effectiveness by the patients' self-reported last Pap test. We explored adoption of screening through focus groups with 34 staff members by documenting their attitudes about cervical cancer screening and screening strategy adaptation. We also documented recruitment and screening implementation. Results. Almost half (47.9%) of participants reported a last Pap test 3 or more years previously; 30%had reported a last Pap more than 5 years ago, and 11.4%had a high-risk test outcome that required referral to colposcopy. Staff supported screening because of mission alignment and perceived patient benefit. Screening adaptations included eligibility, results provision, and follow-up. Conclusions. Cervical cancer screening was possible and potentially beneficial in STD clinics. Future effectiveness-implementation studies should expand to include all female patients, and should examine the degree to which adaptation of selected adoption frameworks is feasible.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)e8-e14
JournalAmerican Journal of Public Health
Volume105
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Apr 2015
Externally publishedYes

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