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Welsh EF, Andrus EC, Sandler CB, Moravek MB, Stroumsa D, Kattari SK, Walline HM, Goudsmit CM, Brouwer AF. Cervicovaginal and Anal Self-Sampling for Human Papillomavirus Testing in a Transgender and Gender Diverse Population Assigned Female at Birth: Comfort, Difficulty, and Willingness to Use. LGBT Health 2024. [PMID: 38574315 DOI: 10.1089/lgbt.2023.0336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Purpose: Transgender and gender diverse (TGD) people assigned female at birth (AFAB) face numerous barriers to preventive care, including for cervical cancer screening. At-home human papillomavirus (HPV) testing may expand access to cervical cancer screening for TGD people AFAB. This study assessed the perceptions of TGD individuals AFAB who self-collected cervicovaginal and anal samples. Methods: We recruited TGD individuals AFAB to collect cervicovaginal and anal specimens at home using self-sampling for HPV testing, and individuals reported their perceptions of self-sampling. Associations between demographic and health characteristics and each of comfort of use, ease of use, and willingness to use self-sampling were estimated using robust Poisson regression. Results: Of 137 consenting participants, 101 completed the sample collection and the surveys. The majority of participants reported that the cervicovaginal self-swab was not uncomfortable (68.3%) and not difficult to use (86.1%), and nearly all (96.0%) were willing to use the swab in the future. Fewer participants found the anal swab to not be uncomfortable (47.5%), but most participants still found the anal swab to not be difficult to use (70.2%) and were willing to use the swab in the future (89.1%). Participants were more willing to use either swab if they had not seen a medical professional in the past year. Conclusions: TGD individuals AFAB were willing to use and preferred self-sampling methods for cervicovaginal and anal HPV testing. Developing clinically approved self-sampling options for HPV testing could expand access to cancer screening for TGD populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin F Welsh
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Emily C Andrus
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Claire B Sandler
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Molly B Moravek
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Reproductive Endocrinology Clinic, Center for Reproductive Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Daphna Stroumsa
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Reproductive Endocrinology Clinic, Center for Reproductive Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Shanna K Kattari
- School of Social Work, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
- Department of Women's and Gender Studies, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Heather M Walline
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | | | - Andrew F Brouwer
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
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McIntosh RD, Andrus EC, Walline HM, Sandler CB, Goudsmit CM, Moravek MB, Stroumsa D, Kattari SK, Brouwer AF. Prevalence and Determinants of Cervicovaginal, Oral, and Anal Human Papillomavirus Infection in a Population of Transgender and Gender Diverse People Assigned Female at Birth. LGBT Health 2024. [PMID: 38530059 DOI: 10.1089/lgbt.2023.0335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Purpose: The human papillomavirus (HPV) causes cervicovaginal, oral, and anogenital cancer, and cervical cancer screening options include HPV testing of a clinician-collected sample. Transgender and gender diverse (TGD) people assigned female at birth (AFAB) face many barriers to preventive care, including cancer screening. Self-sampling options may increase access and participation in HPV testing and cancer screening. This study estimated the prevalence of HPV in self-collected cervicovaginal, oral, and anal samples from Midwestern TGD individuals AFAB. Methods: We recruited TGD individuals AFAB for an observational study, mailing them materials to self-collect cervicovaginal, oral, and anal samples at home. We tested samples for high-risk (HR; 16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59) and other HPV genotypes (6, 11, 66, 68, 73, 90) using a polymerase chain reaction mass array test. Prevalence ratios for HPV infection at each site as a function of participant characteristics were estimated in log-binomial models. Results: Out of 137 consenting participants, 102 completed sample collection. Among those with valid tests, 8.8% (HR = 6.6%; HPV 16/18 = 3.3%) were positive for oral HPV, 30.5% (HR = 26.8%; HPV 16/18 = 9.7%) for cervicovaginal HPV, and 39.6% (HR = 33.3%; HPV 16/18 = 8.3%) for anal HPV. A larger fraction of oral (71.4%) than anal infections (50.0%) were concordant with a cervicovaginal infection of the same type. Conclusions: We detected HR cervicovaginal, oral, and anal HPV in TGD people AFAB. It is essential that we reduce barriers to cancer screening for TGD populations, such as through the development of a clinically approved self-screening HPV test.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan D McIntosh
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Emily C Andrus
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Heather M Walline
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Claire B Sandler
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | | | - Molly B Moravek
- Reproductive Endocrinology Clinic, Center for Reproductive Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Daphna Stroumsa
- Reproductive Endocrinology Clinic, Center for Reproductive Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Shanna K Kattari
- School of Social Work, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
- Department of Women's and Gender Studies, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Andrew F Brouwer
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
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McIntosh RD, Andrus EC, Walline HM, Sandler CB, Goudsmit CM, Moravek MB, Stroumsa D, Kattari SK, Brouwer AF. Prevalence and determinants of cervicovaginal, oral, and anal HPV infection in a population of transgender and gender diverse people assigned female at birth. medRxiv 2023:2023.08.15.23294129. [PMID: 37645745 PMCID: PMC10462201 DOI: 10.1101/2023.08.15.23294129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
Introduction HPV causes oral, cervicovaginal, and anogenital cancer, and cervical cancer screening options include HPV testing of a physician-collected sample. Transgender and gender diverse (TGD) people assigned female at birth (AFAB) face discrimination and stigma in many healthcare settings; are believed to be a lower risk for cervical cancer by many physicians; are less likely to be up to date on preventive health care services such as pelvic health exams; and are more likely to have inadequate results from screening tests. Self-sampling options may increase access and participation in HPV testing and cancer screening. Methods We recruited 137 TGD individuals AFAB for an observational study, mailing them a kit to self-collect cervicovaginal, oral, and anal samples at home. We tested samples for HPV genotypes 6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59, 66, 68, 73 and 90 using a PCR mass array test. Results 102 participants completed the study. Among those with valid tests, 8.8% were positive for oral HPV, 30.5% were positive for cervicovaginal HPV, and 39.6% were positive for anal HPV. A large fraction of anal (50.0%) and oral (71.4%) infections were concordant with a cervicovaginal infection of the same type. Conclusions HPV infection in TGD people AFAB may be just as high, if not higher, than in cisgender women. It is essential that we reduce barriers to cancer screening for TGD populations, such as through the development of a clinically approved self-screening HPV test.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan D. McIntosh
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Emily C. Andrus
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Heather M. Walline
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Claire B. Sandler
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | | | - Molly B. Moravek
- Reproductive Endocrinology Clinic, Center for Reproductive Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Daphna Stroumsa
- Reproductive Endocrinology Clinic, Center for Reproductive Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Shanna K. Kattari
- School of Social Work, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
- Department of Women’s and Gender Studies, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Andrew F. Brouwer
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
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Welsh EF, Andrus EC, Sandler CB, Moravek MB, Stroumsa D, Kattari SK, Walline HM, Goudsmit CM, Brouwer AF. Cervicovaginal and anal self-sampling for HPV testing in a transgender and gender diverse population assigned female at birth: comfort, difficulty, and willingness to use. medRxiv 2023:2023.08.15.23294132. [PMID: 37645965 PMCID: PMC10462238 DOI: 10.1101/2023.08.15.23294132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
Background Transgender and gender diverse (TGD) people assigned female at birth (AFAB) face numerous barriers to preventive care, including for HPV and cervical cancer screening. Self-sampling options may expand access to HPV testing for TGD people AFAB. Methods We recruited TGD individuals AFAB to collect cervicovaginal and anal specimens at-home using self-sampling for HPV testing, and individuals reported their perceptions of self-sampling. Associations between demographic and health characteristics and each of comfort of use, ease of use, and willingness to use self-sampling were estimated using robust Poisson regression. Results The majority of the 101 participants who completed the study reported that the cervicovaginal self-swab was not uncomfortable (68.3%) and not difficult to use (86.1%), and nearly all (96.0%) were willing to use the swab in the future. Fewer participants found the anal swab to not be uncomfortable (47.5%), but most participants still found the anal swab to not be difficult to use (70.2%) and were willing to use the swab in the future (89.1%). Participants were more willing to use either swab if they had not seen a medical professional in the past year. About 70% of participants who reported negative experiences with either self-swab were still willing to use that swab in the future. Conclusions TGD AFAB individuals were willing to use and preferred self-sampling methods for cervicovaginal and anal HPV testing. Developing clinically approved self-sampling options for cancer screening could expand access to HPV screening for TGD AFAB populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin F Welsh
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Emily C. Andrus
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Claire B. Sandler
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Molly B. Moravek
- Reproductive Endocrinology Clinic, Center for Reproductive Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Daphna Stroumsa
- Reproductive Endocrinology Clinic, Center for Reproductive Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Shanna K. Kattari
- School of Social Work, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
- Department of Women’s and Gender Studies, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Heather M. Walline
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | | | - Andrew F. Brouwer
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
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Rivera-Custodio JJ, Soto-Sanchez AV, Alvarado-Cardona EO, Moreta-Ávila F, Silva-Reteguis J, Velez-Perez E, Jiménez-Ricaurte C, Rivera-Segarra E, Rodríguez-Madera SL, Ramos-Pibernus A. Recommendations from Latinx Trans and Non-Binary Individuals to Promote Cancer Prevention in Puerto Rico and Florida. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2023; 20:1213. [PMID: 36673968 PMCID: PMC9859014 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20021213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2022] [Revised: 12/23/2022] [Accepted: 12/27/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Latinx trans and non-binary individuals (LTNB) face increased cancer-related health disparities. Studies evidence how barriers at the individual, provider and organizational levels drive cancer disparities among LTNB individuals. These barriers increase the emotional discomfort associated with testing and disengagement from cancer prevention efforts. Moreover, there are no guidelines or interventions that address cancer prevention specifically among LTNB individuals. There is a need to develop interventions informed by the LTNB communities to promote cancer prevention and screening. The study aims to describe the recommendations provided by LTNB individuals to foster cancer screening and prevention in the communities residing in Puerto Rico and Florida. We conducted two online focus groups with a total of 15 LTNB participants. Participants were recruited using non-probabilistic purposive sampling. We used rapid-qualitative analysis for data interpretation. Findings are gathered in three main themes: (1) recommendations for promoting cancer prevention screening among providers; (2) specific recommendations to promote cancer screening among LTBN individuals; and (3) recommendations on delivery formats to foster cancer prevention. These results evidence the need and feasibility of developing community informed tailored interventions targeting cancer screening and preventative care to reduce cancer-related health disparities among the LTNB population.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ana V. Soto-Sanchez
- School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, Ponce Health Sciences University, Ponce 00732, Puerto Rico
| | | | | | | | - Erik Velez-Perez
- School of Public Health, Ponce Health Sciences University, Ponce 00732, Puerto Rico
| | - Coral Jiménez-Ricaurte
- School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, Ponce Health Sciences University, Ponce 00732, Puerto Rico
| | - Eliut Rivera-Segarra
- School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, Ponce Health Sciences University, Ponce 00732, Puerto Rico
| | | | - Alixida Ramos-Pibernus
- School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, Ponce Health Sciences University, Ponce 00732, Puerto Rico
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