A Randomized control trial to evaluate Human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA self-sampling as a primary cervical screening test in women

Study participants were randomized into two arm: Arm 1: HPV DNA self-sampling before Pap smear Arm 2: Pap smear before HPV DNA self-sampling Participants were explained the study detail before agreeing to participate, they performed both HPV DNA self-sampling and Pap smear. Each woman was given a long-handled, sterile Dacron swab in a wrapper, a plastic vial and a specimen bag. The participant 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 participant inserted the swab into her vagina at least 2 inches deep following with five full rotations of the swab. The participant then pulled out the swab, placed it in the plastic vial and be sealed in a specimen bag. Each woman was examined by clinicians. The clinician collected a Pap smear sample from the ectocervix using a cytobrush. The cytobrush was placed into a 20 ml vial containing phosphate-buffered saline. Research staff pipetted 1 ml of this solution to a vial for the purpose of HPV DNA test. Both self-sampling and Pap smear were conducted on the same day one immediately after the other.