Can text reminders improve uptake of cervical screening? A RCT.
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Can "reminder to book" text messages improve uptake of cervical screening? - A randomised controlled trial investigating how effective different types of text message reminders are at improving the uptake.
IRAS ID
119628
Contact name
Deborah Cunningham
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Imperial College London & Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust
Research 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) informative (loss framed) and c) social norm reminders. Unlike our previous trial, this SMS will encourage the booking of an appointment, rather than simply reminding women to attend, which has never been tested. 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 6 months.
REC name
London - Brighton & Sussex Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/LO/1390
Date of REC Opinion
20 Aug 2014
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion