Feasibility and anticipated acceptability of community health worker-facilitated HPV self-sampling for cervical cancer screening around Lake County, Indiana.

Authors: Adekunle TB, Arreola A, Sembian S, Castro R, Claure L, Balian L, Rodriguez NM

This study explores community health workers’ (CHWs) views on cervical cancer screening barriers and the feasibility of CHW-facilitated HPV self-sampling in Lake County, Indiana, a region with high cervical cancer mortality rates. Interviews with 15 CHWs revealed barriers spanning individual, interpersonal, and community levels. CHWs identified HPV self-sampling as promising for reducing barriers, citing privacy and time saved as facilitators. Concerns included trust in provider expertise and CHWs’ time limitations. Considerations for implementation included training, gender concordance, and respect. CHWs’ perspectives highlight the potential for this approach to increase screening in underserved communities.