HPV Self-Sampling in the Workplace: A Qualitative Study of Benefits, Barriers, and Opportunities for Improvement Perceived by Health Professionals and Managers

Aim

To inform the implementation of Human Papillomavirus Self-Sampling (HPV-SS) in the workplace, we assessed the perspectives of healthcare professionals and managers on the benefits, barriers, and opportunities for improvement of a pilot program.

Methods

A qualitative descriptive study based on in-depth telephone interviews was conducted between June and August 2023. Data were analyzed through inductive thematic analysis. Fifteen health professionals from different companies and fifteen managers from the Mexican Institute of Social Security (IMSS) were interviewed.

Results

Participants identified several benefits of the HPV-SS, including ease of use, privacy, convenience, affordability, reduced workplace absences, and promotion of a prevention culture. However, there were also individual and organizational barriers to program implementation. The former consisted of women's concerns about collecting a reliable sample or injuring themselves, lack of confidence in the HPV test, fear of positive results, and discomfort caused by the brush used to collect the sample. Organizational barriers included failure to follow up on positive test results, lack of knowledge of program indicators, perceived negative impact on the established Pap smear cervical cancer screening indicator, and the lack of government regulations supporting HPV testing. To improve the program, participants suggested disseminating information through mass media campaigns and social networks, providing companies with additional support from IMSS preventive staff, extending the work hours of IMSS Family Medicine clinics, and training IMSS health staff on the follow-up of women with HPV test results.

Conclusions

The study findings suggest potential areas for improvement in HPV-SS programs.