Self-swab versus clinician-collected HPV screening for vulnerable women in Reunion

Concordance and Acceptability of Self-screening Compared to Screening Carried Out by a Health Professional for HPV, a Risk Factor for Anal Cancer, by Swab in People Living With HIV. A Randomized Controlled Crossover Study

Not applicable Interventional Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de la Réunion · NCT07438080

This study tests whether self-collected swabs work as well and feel as acceptable as clinician-collected swabs for HPV screening in vulnerable women aged 30–65.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment300 (estimated)
Ages30 Years to 65 Years
SexFemale
SponsorCentre Hospitalier Universitaire de la Réunion Academic / other
Locations2 sites (Saint-Paul and 1 other locations)
Trial IDNCT07438080 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This randomized crossover study compares self-collected swabs to swabs taken by a health professional for HPV detection among vulnerable women living in two municipalities of Réunion. Participants are recruited through social services and attend community sexual health workshops where they perform a self-swab and receive a clinician swab in different sequences. The main outcomes are concordance of HPV results between the two collection methods and participants' acceptability and preferences. Results will show whether self-sampling delivered via community outreach can expand screening access in this population.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are women aged 30–65 in vulnerable situations who live in one of the two targeted municipalities, are supported by local social services, and agree to attend the on-site sexual health meetings.

Not a fit: People who have had a hysterectomy, who do not live in the targeted municipalities, or who refuse participation are unlikely to benefit from this study's procedures.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, self-swabbing could make HPV screening easier, more comfortable, and more accessible for vulnerable women, increasing early detection.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has generally shown that self-collected HPV swabs can be similarly accurate and are often preferred by patients, so this approach has supporting evidence.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Aged 30 to 65,
* In a vulnerable situation (beneficiary of a state or departmental social service, or referred by a charity),
* Resident in one of the two municipalities targeted by the study,
* Supported by the social services of one of the two municipalities targeted by the study,
* Having agreed to participate in sexual health awareness meetings organized on site

Exclusion Criteria:

* Refusing to participate in the study
* Having had a hysterectomy

Where this trial is running

Saint-Paul and 1 other locations

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions HPV
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.