Accuracy and acceptability towards cervical screening by self-collected vs clinician-collected sampling for Human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA testing in female sex workers.

The study participants were randomized into two groups: Arm 1: HPV DNA self-collected sampling followed by HPV DNA clinician-collected sampling with Pap smear Arm 2: HPV DNA clinician-collected sampling with Pap smear followed by HPV DNA self-collected sampling 1. The women preformed both HPV DNA self-collected sampling and HPV DNA clinician-collected sampling with Pap smear on the same day when they presented for women’s health checking. 2. Explanation and instruction of the HPV DNA self-sampling was given by a trained nurse to each participating women. Each women will be given a long-handled, sterile Dacron swab in a wrapper which is the same type used by the clinician, a plastic vial and a specimen bag. The subject was directed to a private, well-lit room. Verbal and written instructions for cell collection and diagram of the female genital anatomy were provided. The subject inserted the swab into her vagina at least 2 inches deep and then turn the swab two full rotations. Then the subject pulled out the swab and place it in the plastic vial which to be placed in the specimen bag. The subject then passed the specimen bag containing the vial to the nurse who would transfer the swab to the 20ml vial containing 5 ml of phosphate-buffered saline. 3. Each participant was examined by clinician who will first collect a Pap smear sample from the ectocervix using a cytobrush and then collect an clinician-ectocervical sample using a Dacron swab for HPV DNA sampling. The clinician directed the swab at the cervix and turn the swab two full rotations to maximize cell collection. The swab was placed into a 20 ml vial containing 5 ml of phosphate-buffered saline.