Women's Experience of Human Papillomavirus Self‐Sampling in Cervical Cancer Screening Programs: A Scoping Review

ABSTRACT

This study aimed to map, identify, and synthesize women's experiences with human papillomavirus (HPV) self‐sampling in cervical cancer screening programs. The study was conducted as a scoping review, reported in accordance with PRISMA‐ScR. Studies involving women of all nationalities who had been offered HPV self‐sampling were included, of any qualitative study design, and published at any date in either English or a Scandinavian language. Systematic searches were conducted in the PubMed, CINAHL, PsycInfo, and EMBASE databases in May 2023, in September 2024, and in August 2025. Data were systematically charted by study characteristics, and the main findings were reported narratively. A total of 25 studies reporting qualitative or mixed methods were included. The synthesis resulted in three themes generated from the women's perspective: Women's perceptions of HPV self‐sampling , Women's experiences of health professionals’ HPV sampling , and Women's perceptions of community HPV sampling . Women experienced self‐sampling to be highly acceptable with feelings of control over their own bodies, comfort in the procedure, and time‐saving benefits. Some women experienced a lack of confidence in taking the sample themselves. The experience was influenced by the relationship with health professionals, for example, due to previous traumatic experiences, and by the women's immediate community, for example, relationships with other women or partners.