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Women’s preference for HPV self-sampling devices: a programme-embedded, large-scale paired comparative study within the cervical cancer screening programme in the Capital Region of Denmark

Abstract

Objective: To demonstrate women’s preferences for three human papillomavirus (HPV) self-sampling devices. Design: Cross-sectional, programme-embedded paired comparative study with randomised sampling order within device pairs. Setting: Organised cervical cancer screening programme in the Capital Region of Denmark. Participants: 1760 women eligible for cervical cancer screening (April 2024 to May 2025), assigned to one of three groups: (1) Evalyn versus FLOQSwab (n=518), (2) Evalyn versus SensiGrip (n=657) and (3) FLOQSwab versus SensiGrip (n=585). Outcome measures: Primary: device preference. Secondary: sampling-experience (self-reported). Data were assessed with χ² tests for preference, logistic regression for predictor analysis and Wilcoxon signed-rank equivalence test with two one-sided test procedures to assess sampling experience. Results: Overall, 95.7% rated HPV self-sampling a positive experience and 87.3% preferred HPV self-sampling in future screening. SensiGrip was preferred significantly over FLOQSwab (p<0.001), with participants rating ease of use and sampling certainty higher for SensiGrip. No significant differences in preference were observed between Evalyn and either alternative device in the primary analysis (p>0.05) although Evalyn scored higher in sampling certainty. Sampling order influenced preference in Evalyn comparisons. Prior experience with self-sampling, screening history and subcohort membership did not significantly influence device preference. Conclusions: Overall, participants rated self-sampling a positive experience. SensiGrip was preferred over FLOQSwab, while Evalyn demonstrated comparable overall acceptability to both alternative devices in the primary implementation-focused analysis. These findings suggest that device replacement would be acceptable from a screening participation perspective, particularly a shift from FLOQSwab to SensiGrip.

Original languageEnglish
Article numbere112643
JournalBMJ Open
Volume16
Issue number5
ISSN2399-9772
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 19 May 2026

Keywords

  • Epidemiology
  • GYNAECOLOGY
  • HPV Infection
  • Human Papillomavirus Viruses
  • MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
  • Public health

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