The most influential factors in the psychological impact of an abnormal cervical screening result: A cross-sectional study.

Abstract

To identify factors associated with higher levels of anxiety and poorer quality of life in women with abnormal results in a cervical screening programme. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 140 women aged 25-65 years with abnormal cervical screening results referred to the Cervical Pathology Clinic at Donostia University Hospital between May and November 2022. Anxiety and quality of life were assessed using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and the Human Papillomavirus-related Quality of Life (HPV-QoL) questionnaire, respectively. Multivariable linear regression models were used to identify factors independently associated with emotional outcomes. Higher state anxiety (STAI-S) was independently associated with greater baseline trait anxiety (STAI-T) (p < 0.001), a first positive HPV result (p = 0.05), and low-to-medium educational level (p = 0.03). Among HPV-positive women, poorer HPV-related quality of life was independently associated with higher baseline trait anxiety (p = 0.008) and lower educational level (p = 0.032). Baseline anxiety is the strongest determinant of emotional impact after an abnormal cervical screening result, followed by first-time HPV positivity and lower educational level, highlighting the multifactorial nature of emotional responses in cervical screening.