Enhancing Cervical Cancer Screening Among Northern Thai Women: Satisfaction with Self-Collected HPV DNA Testing under the National Program.

BACKGROUND

Cervical cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related morbidity and mortality among women in Thailand. Despite the availability of national cervical cancer screening programs, participation rates remain low in Northern Thailand due to barriers such as limited accessibility and discomfort with clinical sample collection. Self-collected HPV DNA testing offers a promising alternative to traditional screening methods by addressing these barriers and improving access to care.

OBJECTIVE

Cervical cancer is a major health burden in Thailand, yet participation in national screening programs remains low, particularly in Northern Thailand. This study evaluated satisfaction with self-collected HPV DNA testing and examined factors influencing screening acceptance to inform strategies for increasing uptake.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted among 299 women aged 30-60 years attending the national cervical cancer screening program at Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital. Participants performed self-collection following a demonstration and completed a five-point Likert scale satisfaction survey. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression were used to assess satisfaction and identify predictors of screening intention.

RESULTS

Most participants (85.95%) strongly agreed that self-collected HPV DNA testing improved screening accessibility, and 100% found the process easy to follow. Mean satisfaction scores were high for accessibility (4.85/5), effectiveness (4.82/5), and reliability (4.81/5). No invalid samples were reported, and beta-globin Ct values confirmed high-quality sample collection (mean Ct = 29.00 ± 1.70). Education level significantly influenced screening intention (OR = 17.61, p = 0.039).

CONCLUSION

Self-collected HPV DNA testing was highly satisfactory and could enhance national screening programs, especially in underserved populations.