'It has saved thousands of lives, so why change it?' Content analysis of objections to cervical screening programme changes in Australia.

ABSTRACT: OBJECTIVES:The incidence and mortality of cervical cancer have halved since introduction of the Australian cervical screening programme in 1991, involving 2-yearly Pap smears from ages 18-69 years. In 2017, the programme changed to 5- yearly primary human papillomavirus (HPV) testing for women aged 25-74 years. This study investigated reasons for opposition to the renewed screening programme within the open-ended comments of an online petition, 'Stop May 1st Changes to Pap Smears-Save Women's Lives', opposing the changes, which received over 70 000 signatures and almost 20 000 comments. METHODS:Content analysis of a random sample of 2000 comments, reflecting 10% of the 19 633 comments posted in February-March 2017. RESULTS:Nineteen codes were identified, reflecting four themes: (1) valuing

SUBMITTER: Obermair HM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5829885 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature