Developing a Model for Promotion of HPV Self-Sampling Cervical Cancer Screening using the Social Support of Women in Phrom Khiri District Nakhon Si Thammarat Province

Abstract

This action research aimed to develop a cervical cancer self-screening model (HPV self- sampling) for at risk women in Phrom Khiri District. Nakhon Si Thammarat Province The research was divided into 3 phases, including: phase 1: situation analysis, studying the circumstances, context, and factors related to cervical cancer screening; phase 2: developing a cervical cancer self-screening model according to the operational research process concept according to the concepts of Kemmis & McTaggart; and phase 3: evaluation of the results of the model. This was a community-wide project with participation from the community based on participatory action research (PAR). Participants in the study included: 1) 25 people responsible for nursing care and one person responsible for cervical cancer; 2) 1,100 female service recipients aged 30-60 years; and 3) from the civil society sector, 40 people. The study was conducted between February -April, 2023. The research tools included: 1) a questionnaire, 2) an interview form, and 3) a cervical cancer self-screening kit. The tool used to evaluate the program was a satisfaction questionnaire with a Cronbach’s alpha coefficient reliability value of 0.88. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and the qualitative data using the content analysis method.

Results: Phase 1: The most common reasons for not having the pap-smear tests were feeling embarrassed and the distance from home to the health care center. Phase 2: The research found that the development of the cervical cancer self-screening model consisted of 4 steps: 1) the planning step: proposing new options, implementing policies, hosting meetings to gather relevant information, and creating short video media, as well as determining the target group of women; 2) action steps: site visits to directly invite the targeted women to participate, providing knowledge to help them make their decisions, and evaluating the model; 3) the participatory observation stage: providing advice and assistance; and 4) implementation reflection: meeting to gather lesson-learned information. Ultimately, the study found that at risk women decided to have the test done by self-sampling test kits rather than via screening by health care providers. Phase 3 results determined that the satisfaction with cervical cancer self-screening (HPV self-sampling) was at a high level (Mean = 4.39, S.D. = 0.65).