Can Text Reminders Improve Uptake of Cervical Screening?

Summary

Cervical cancer is the most common cancer in women under 35 years and is a major public health concern. Fortunately, the natural history of this malignancy can be beneficially improved through cytological screening. However, the success of screening programmes depends on their ability to attract the "at risk" population, as well as the analytical sensitivity and specificity of the screening test. In the UK, screening consistently falls short of the 80% national target and recent evidence shows uptake is decreasing, in part due to the introduction of HPV vaccination programmes. In the under 30s London population, average coverage only reached 50% in 2013. Given this information, the cervical screening programme is under increasing pressure to improve uptake, and need an evidence based intervention.

We aim to improve the uptake of cervical screening using SMS messaging through a randomised controlled trial. The trail will evaluate both the prevalent and incident rounds of screening and within the intervention group, analyse how the content of text reminders influences their effectiveness. Specifically we will evaluate a) neutral b) messenger c) social norms d) framed gain/loss reminders. Unlike our previous trial, this SMS reminder will encourage the booking of an appointment which has never been tested, rather than simply reminding women to attend. All women being invited for cervical screening, registered at participating GPs within Hillingdon will be eligible to participate. Women will also be provided with a 2 week window during which they can opt out of the research. Given the sample sizes we predict the trial will take 9 months.

Conditions

• Cervical Carcinoma
• Cervical Dysplasia

Interventions

OTHER

Neutral text message reminder

"Your cervical smear test is due. To book please call \<xxxxxxxxxxx\>"

OTHER

Messenger text message reminder

"\<GP NAME\>: Your cervical smear test is due. To book please call \<xxxxxxxxxxx\>"

OTHER

Social Norms A reminder

"Last year in Hillingdon 7 out of 10 women took part in cervical screening. Your cervical smear test is due. To book please call \<xxxxxxxxxxx\>"

OTHER

Social Norms B reminder

"Last year 12000 women in Hillingdon took part in cervical screening. Your cervical smear test is due. To book please call \<xxxxxxxxxxx\>"

OTHER

Framed Gain text reminder

"Cervical cancer screening saves 4500 lives in England every year. Your cervical smear test is due. To book please call \<xxxxxxxxxxx\>"

OTHER

Framed Loss text reminder

"Failing to attend cervical screening could lead to 4500 avoidable deaths in England each year. Your cervical smear test is due. To book please call \<xxxxxxxxxxx\>"

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Sarah Huf

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Deborah Cunningham · Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

SCREENING

Masking

NONE

Model

SINGLE_GROUP

Eligibility

Min Age

24 Years

Max Age

64 Years

Sex

FEMALE

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2015-02-28

Primary Completion

2016-02-29

Completion

2016-02-29

Countries

• United Kingdom

Study Locations