scholarly journals Predictors of timely diagnostic follow-up after an abnormal Pap test among Hispanic women seeking care in El Paso, Texas

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Thelma Carrillo ◽  
Jane R. Montealegre ◽  
Christina G. Bracamontes ◽  
Michael E. Scheurer ◽  
Michele Follen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High School ◽  
Cervical Cancer ◽  
High School Graduates ◽  
Hispanic Women ◽  
El Paso ◽  
Pap Test ◽  
Optimal Interval ◽  
National Breast ◽  
Diagnostic Interval

Abstract Background Diagnostic follow-up of women with an abnormal Pap test is necessary to resolve the risk developing cervical cancer. The purpose of this study is to describe patient characteristics associated with timely receipt of a diagnostic colposcopy after an abnormal Pap test among Hispanic women in El Paso, a Texas-Mexico border city. Methods We conducted a retrospective chart review of Hispanic patients seen at an academic colposcopy clinic following an abnormal Pap test. An optimal diagnostic interval to colposcopy was based on a National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP) quality indicator and was defined as receipt of colposcopy within 90 days or less from the date of an abnormal Pap test. Risk ratios (RR) were calculated by building a generalized linear model fit using a Poisson distribution, log link, and robust variance. Results Overall, 177 of the 270 women (65.6%) received follow-up within an optimal diagnostic interval. After adjusting for other variables in the model, women who were 30 years of age or older were 32% more likely to have an optimal interval than younger women (adjusted RR = 1.32, P < 0.01). High school graduates were less likely than more educated women to have an optimal interval (adjusted RR = 0.68, P < 0.01). Participation in the NBCCEDP was not associated with receipt of follow-up within an optimal diagnostic interval. Conclusions Compared with women with greater educational attainment, high school graduates were less likely to receive follow-up within an optimal diagnostic interval, as were younger (≤ 30 years) women compared with older women. Participation in the NBCCEDP was not associated with receipt of care within an optimal diagnostic interval.

scholarly journals Correction to: Predictors of timely diagnostic follow-up after an abnormal Pap test among Hispanic women seeking care in El Paso, Texas

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Thelma Carrillo ◽  
Jane R. Montealegre ◽  
Christina G. Bracamontes ◽  
Michael E. Scheurer ◽  
Michele Follen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hispanic Women ◽  
El Paso ◽  
Pap Test

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article.

scholarly journals Use of Short Messaging Service to Improve Follow-Up for Abnormal Pap Test Results in Minority and Medically Underserved Women in North Carolina: Questionnaire on Attitudes and Acceptability

10.2196/12675 ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. e12675 ◽  
Author(s):  
LaHoma Smith Romocki ◽  
Andrea Des Marais ◽  
Leslie Cofie ◽  
Chelsea Anderson ◽  
Theresa Curington ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cervical Cancer ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Text Messaging ◽  
Text Message ◽  
Pap Test ◽  
Text Messages ◽  
Test Results ◽  
Follow Up Care ◽  
To Receive

Background An estimated one in eight cervical cancer cases are due to a lack of follow-up care for abnormal Pap test results. Low rates of completion of follow-up care particularly affect low-income minority women. The burden of cervical cancer could be reduced through interventions that improve timely colposcopy follow-up and treatment of abnormal screening results. Mobile communications via text messaging present a low-cost opportunity to increase rates of clinic return among women referred to follow-up after obtaining abnormal screening results. Objective Our aims were to determine the acceptability and feasibility of using text messaging to increase completion of follow-up care following abnormal cervical cancer screening (Pap test) results and to examine factors that may affect the acceptability and use of text messaging to increase communications between health care providers (HCP) and low-income minority women. Methods The study participants were 15 low-income women who had undergone a Pap test within the preceding 12 months. Semistructured interviews, including open- and closed-ended questions from a validated questionnaire, were conducted by phone or in person. Responses to closed-ended survey items were tabulated, and descriptive statistics were generated using Microsoft Excel. Responses to the open-ended questions were coded and analyzed using NVivo 11 qualitative analysis software. Results Nearly all participants (14/15, 93%) were comfortable receiving a text message from an HCP stating that their Pap test results were available (<40 years: 100%; ≥40 years: 86%). Over half (8/15; 53%) of the participants were comfortable receiving a text message stating that their Pap test results were abnormal, although many preferred to receive such information via a phone call (6/15; 40%). Most participants (9/15; 60%) believed that receiving a text reminder would make them more likely to attend their appointment. The preferred method for receiving a reminder appeared to vary by age, with older women preferring telephone reminders over text messaging reminders. Analysis of open-ended questions suggested that text messaging appeals to some women due to its wide use and convenience for communicating with HCPs. However, women cited concerns about the confidentiality of messages and barriers to understanding the messages, including the physical capacity to read and accurately interpret the content of the messaging. Conclusions Most participants indicated a willingness to receive text messages from their HCPs about cervical cancer screening results and believed that text messages were the best way to remind them of appointments for follow-up care. Potential concerns could be addressed by excluding explicit references to the nature of the appointment in the text message in order to avoid disclosure of sensitive health information to unauthorized individuals. Although text messaging seems promising to improve adherence to timely follow-up, personal preferences should be considered by allowing patients to opt-out of text communications.

Evaluation of a mobile cervical cancer screening program in São Luis, Maranhão, Brazil: Impact and challenges.

2020 ◽  
Vol 38 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. 1558-1558
Author(s):  
Rachel Jorge Dino Cossetti Leal ◽  
Emanuel Cabral Pereira ◽  
Thamires Sales Ribeiro ◽  
Monalisa Leal Matta Machado ◽  
Roseline Braga de Carvalho ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Cervical Cancer ◽  
Family Income ◽  
Screening Program ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Pap Test ◽  
Public Access ◽  
Screening Tests ◽  
Pap Tests

1558 Background: Cervical cancer (CC) still represents a public health priority in Brazil, with estimated incidence of 15,43 cases per 100.000 women. CC is the most frequent cause of cancer and cancer-related mortality in women in the state of Maranhão. The Brazilian national screening program recommends cervical cytology (Pap test) every 3 years in women 25-64 years old. Although of public access, the screening program continues to be non-organized. This was a real-life CC screening intervention through a mobile screening unit (MSU) in communities of São Luis, Maranhão. Methods: Prospective, intervention-based, analytic study, from April to August, 2018. Women in the assisted communities were offered Pap tests. Tests were collected and results were retrieved within 4 weeks along with further screening recommendations. Quality control and monitoring of the test were done. A structured questionnaire was applied. Results: 960 tests were collected and 545 women answered the questionnaire. Median age: 43 (34 – 52), with 88.2% of women within the target age. Socioeconomic charachteristics: 47.3% completed high school education; 37.8% were housewives, 16.1% were unemployed; 56.3% were married; 59.8% had a monthly family-income up to 1 minimum wage ($ 250,00). Previous Pap tests and difficulties: 94.1% had at least one previous test; 78,2% had a test within the past 3 years; 48.4% referred to dificculties to scheduling, 23.3% time constraints, 11.2% being ashamed, and 10.4% financial restrains. There were 65 (6.9%) abnormal results (LSIL in 3%, HSIL in 0.7%, and in situ adenocarcinoma in 1 case), for whom further investigation was recommended. Follow-up was possible in 31 of these cases. More than 50% were still awaiting for additional screening tests at time of contact (>6 month interval). Conclusions: MSU strategy faccilitated the access to Pap tests, their results and recommendations. Although Pap test was easily available, the non-organized process of invitation, follow-up and referal of positive cases for further investigation, as offered by the Brazilian public health services, limit screening efficacy and CC control.

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