The impact of age-relevant and generic infographics on knowledge, attitudes and intention to attend cervical screening: A randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: Cervical screening uptake in England is falling. Infographics could strengthen intention to attend, increase positive attitudes and improve knowledge. Age targeting could improve these outcomes further. We tested the impact of generic and age-targeted infographics. DESIGN: A randomized controlled trial using an age-stratified, parallel-group design. METHODS: Women aged 25-64 (n = 2095) were recruited through an online panel and randomized to see one of the three infographics. We tested: (i) impact of a generic cervical screening infographic compared to a control infographic on an unrelated topic with all screening age women and (ii) impact of an age-targeted infographic compared to a generic cervical screening infographic with older women (50-64 years). Intentions, knowledge and attitudes were measured. RESULTS: Women aged 25-64 years who viewed the generic infographic had significantly higher intentions [F(1, 1513) = 6.14, p = .013, η p 2 = .004], more accurate beliefs about the timeline of cervical cancer development (OR: 5.18, 95% CI: 3.86-6.95), more accurate social norms (OR: 3.03, 95% CI: 2.38-3.87) and more positive beliefs about screening benefits (OR: 2.23, 95% CI: 1.52-3.28) than those viewing the control infographic. In the older age group, there was no significant difference in intention between those viewing the generic versus age-targeted versions [F(1, 607) = .03, p = .853, η p 2 < .001], but the age-targeted version was more engaging [F(1, 608) = 9.41, p = .002, η p 2 = .015]. CONCLUSIONS: A cervical screening infographic can result in more positive attitudes and better knowledge and may have a small impact on intentions. Although age targeting did not affect intention, it had a positive impact on engagement and may therefore be useful in encouraging women to read and process materials.

Do age-targeted messages increase cervical screening intentions in women aged 50-64 years with weak positive intentions? A randomised control trial in Great Britain.

Over 20% of women aged 50-64 in Britain have not attended cervical screening within the recommended 5-year interval. The aim of the present study was to investigate the impact of five messages, informed using strategies from the Behaviour Change Wheel, on strength of intention to attend cervical screening in women aged 50-64 with weak positive intentions to be screened when next invited. Women were randomised (2:2:1), into one of two intervention groups or a control group. The control group saw basic information about cervical screening. Intervention group 1 saw a social norms message and an outcome expectancy message. Intervention group 2 saw a risk reduction message and a response efficacy message. There was further randomisation within the two intervention groups (1:1) to test the effectiveness of message framing and age-targeted information. Lastly, both intervention groups were randomised (1:1) to see a message acknowledging the possible discomfort associated with screening and offering support, or the support message only. Data were included from 475 women, collected using an online survey in March 2022. Adjusting for baseline intention, social norms (p = .84), outcome expectancy (p = .51), risk reduction (p = .19), response efficacy (p = .23) and discomfort acknowledgement messages (p = .71) had no effect on intention strength. However, there was a significant increase in intention after reading multiple messages. These results suggest that although no single message has a significant impact on intentions, when combined, they may act together to increase intention strength. Further research will understand the impact of these messages when combined in information materials.

Relationship between urethrovesical junction mobility changes and postoperative progression of stress urinary incontinence following sacrospinous ligament fixation - a subanalysis of a multicentre randomized study.

OBJECTIVES: The study aimed to assess the relationship between urethrovesical junction (UVJ) descent and development of de novo stress urinary incontinence (SUI) and postoperative progression of preexisting SUI following surgery for pelvic organ floor prolapse using the method of sacrospinal fixation (SSF). This was a secondary analysis of the SAME prospective randomized multicentre study (reg. no. NCT03053479) comparing three approaches to surgery for apical defects - sacropexy, SSF and transvaginal mesh. METHODS: The subanalysis included 81 patients with apical defects managed by SSF, either right-sided (N = 14, 17.3%) or bilateral (N = 67, 82.7%). Postoperative follow-up was assessed at 3 months (N = 59), 12 months (N = 47) and 24 months (N = 30). UVJ mobility at rest and with maximum effort, the Valsalva manoeuvre was determined using a standardized 3D/ 4D transperineal ultrasound protocol proposed by Dietz et al. De novo SUI and postoperative progression of preexisting SUI were ascertained from history. RESULTS: Preoperative demographic data (N = 81) were as follows: BMI 27.3 kg/ m2 (16.8-44.5), age 67.0 years (31-85), and parity 2 (1-6). Concomitant anterior repair was performed in 65.4%. Postoperative progression of SUI was 45.8% at 3 months, 21.3% at 12 months, and 23.3% at 24 months. There were significant differences between preoperative and postoperative UVJ descent values at 3, 12 and 24 months (P < 0.0001). Correlations between UVJ descent at 3, 12 and 24 months postoperatively and de novo SUI or progression of preexisting SUI at 3, 12 and 24 months postoperatively were not statistically significant (P = 0.051-0.883). Correlations between differences (preoperative UVJ descent minus UVJ descent at 3, 12 and 24 months postoperatively) and de novo SUI or progression of preexisting SUI at 3, 12 and 24 months postoperatively were not statistically significant (P = 0.691-0.779). CONCLUSIONS: The study showed significant changes in UVJ descent values preoperatively and at 3, 12 and 24 months after SSF. There were no significant correlations between UVJ descent and de novo SUI and postoperative progression of preexisting SUI following surgery for pelvic organ floor prolapse at 3-, 12- and 24-month follow-up. There were no signifi cant correlations between differences (preoperative UVJ descent minus UVJ descent at 3, 12 and 24 months postoperatively and de novo SUI and postoperative progression of preexisting SUI following surgery for pelvic organ floor prolapse at 3-, 12- and 24-month follow-up.

Acceptability of extending HPV-based cervical screening intervals from 3 to 5 years: an interview study with women in England.

OBJECTIVES: The introduction of primary Human Papillomavirus (HPV) testing in the National Health Service (NHS) Cervical Screening Programme in England means the screening interval for 25-49 years can be extended from 3 to 5 years. We explored women's responses to the proposed interval extension. METHODS: We conducted semi-structured phone/video interviews with 22 women aged 25-49 years. Participants were selected to vary in age, socioeconomics and screening history. We explored attitudes to the current 3-year interval, then acceptability of a 5-year interval. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed using framework analysis. RESULTS: Attitudes to the current 3-year interval varied; some wanted more frequent screening, believing cancer develops quickly. Some participants worried about the proposed change; others trusted it was evidence based. Frequent questions concerned the rationale and safety of longer intervals, speed of cancer development, the possibility of HPV being missed or cell changes occurring between screens. Many participants felt reassured when the interval change was explained alongside the move to HPV primary screening, of which most had previously been unaware. CONCLUSIONS: Communication of the interval change should be done in the context of broader information about HPV primary screening, emphasising that people who test negative for HPV are at lower risk of cell changes so can safely be screened every 5 years. The long time needed for HPV to develop into cervical cancer provides reassurance about safety, but it is important to be transparent that no screening test is perfect.

Testing key messages about extending cervical screening intervals.

OBJECTIVES: We tested the impact of different messages about the rationale for extended cervical screening intervals on acceptability of an extension. METHODS: Women in England aged 25-49 years (n = 2931) were randomised to a control group or one of 5 groups given different messages about extending cervical screening intervals from 3 to 5 years. Outcome measures were general acceptability and six components from the Theoretical Framework of Acceptability (TFA). RESULTS: The groups who saw additional messages (47-63%) were more likely to find the change acceptable than controls (43%). Messages about interval safety, test accuracy and speed of cell changes resulted in more positive affective-attitudes, higher ethicality beliefs, a better understanding of the reasons for extended intervals and greater belief in the safety of 5-year intervals. Being up-to-date with screening and previous abnormal results were associated with finding 5-yearly screening unacceptable. CONCLUSIONS: Emphasising the slow development of cell changes following an HPV negative result and the safety of longer intervals, alongside the accuracy of HPV primary screening is important. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: Campaigns explaining the rationale for extended cervical screening intervals are likely to improve acceptability. Though women who feel at increased risk, may remain worried even when the rationale is explained.

Testing the content for a targeted age-relevant intervention to promote cervical screening uptake in women aged 50-64 years.

OBJECTIVES: Low uptake of cervical screening in women in their 50s and 60s leaves them at elevated risk of cancer in older age. An age-targeted intervention could be an effective way to motivate older women to attend cervical screening. Our primary objective was to test the impact of different candidate messages on cervical screening intention strength. DESIGN: A cross-sectional online survey with randomized exposure to different candidate messages. METHODS: Women aged 50-64 years who were not intending to be screened when next invited were recruited through an online panel. Those meeting the inclusion criteria (n = 825) were randomized to one of three groups: (1) control group, (2) intervention group 1, (3) intervention group 2. Each intervention group saw three candidate messages. These included a descriptive social norms message, a diagram illustrating the likelihood of each possible screening outcome, a response efficacy message, a risk reduction message and an acknowledgement of the potential for screening discomfort. We tested age-targeted versions (vs. generic) of some messages. The primary outcome was screening intention strength. RESULTS: After adjusting for baseline intention, social norms (p = .425), outcome expectancy (p = .367), risk reduction (p = .090), response efficacy (p = .136) and discomfort acknowledgement messages (p = .181) had no effect on intention strength. Age-targeted messages did not result in greater intention than generic ones. CONCLUSIONS: There was no evidence that a single message used to convey social norms, outcome expectancy, risk reduction or response efficacy had an impact on intention strength for older women who did not plan to be screened in future.

Maximising the acceptability of extended time intervals between screens in the NHS Cervical Screening Programme: An online experimental study.

OBJECTIVE: The NHS Cervical Screening Programme plans to increase the screening interval from 3 to 5 years for women aged 25-49 who test negative for human papillomavirus (HPV). This exploratory cross-sectional online survey tested the impact of different levels of information about the proposed change on acceptability of a longer interval. METHODS: Women aged 18-45 (n = 585) were individually randomised to one of three information exposure groups differing in the level of information provided about the screening interval change: (1) basic information; (2) basic information with additional detail about timeline of HPV infection; (3) as (2) but with the addition of a diagram. Acceptability of the change (favourable and unfavourable attitudes) was assessed post-exposure alongside HPV timeline beliefs. We used ANOVA and regression analyses to test for between-group differences. RESULTS: Women in Group 3 had higher scores on the favourable attitudes sub-scale compared with Group 1. Women in Groups 2 and 3 had more accurate timeline beliefs than those in Group 1. There were no between-group differences in unfavourable attitudes. After adjusting for demographic factors, a higher favourable attitudes score was independently predicted by being in Group 3 compared to Group 1, more accurate HPV timeline beliefs, and previous irregular or non-attendance at screening. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, acceptability of an increased screening interval was moderate, but providing women with information about the safety and rationale for this change may improve acceptability. In particular, communicating the long timeline from HPV exposure to cervical cancer may reassure women about the safety of the proposed changes.

Are subjects with spondylotic cervical cord encroachment at increased risk of cervical spinal cord injury after minor trauma?

The aim of the study was to analyse the risk of symptomatic myelopathy after minor trauma in patients with asymptomatic spondylotic cervical spinal cord encroachment (ASCCE). In a cohort of 199 patients with ASCCE, previously followed prospectively in a study investigating progression into symptomatic myelopathy, the authors looked retrospectively for traumatic episodes that may have involved injury to the cervical spine. A questionnaire and data file analysis were employed to highlight whatever hypothetical relationship might emerge with the development of symptomatic myelopathy. Fourteen traumatic episodes in the course of a follow-up of 44 months (median) were recorded in our group (who had been instructed to avoid risky activities), with no significant association with the development of symptomatic myelopathy (found in 45 cases). Only three minor traumatic events without fracture of the cervical spine were found among the symptomatic myelopathy cases, with no chronological relationship between trauma and myelopathy. Furthermore, 56 traumatic spinal cord events were found before the diagnosis of cervical cord encroachment was established, with no correlation to either type of compression (discogenic vs osteophytic). In conclusion, the risk of spinal cord injury after minor trauma of the cervical spine in patients with ASCCE appeared to be low in our cohort provided risky activities in these individuals are restricted. Implementation of preventive surgical decompression surgery into clinical practice in these individuals should be postponed until better-designed studies provide proof enough for it to take precedence over a conservative approach.