Improving uptake of cervical screening in women with SMI
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Behavioural SMS reminders with link to decision tool to improve uptake of cervical screening in people with severe mental illness
IRAS ID
323832
Contact name
Jan Lecouturier
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Newcastle University
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 11 months, 7 days
Research summary
Women and people with a cervix are offered cervical screening between the ages of 25 and 65 through the UK Cervical Screening programme. They are invited every three (aged 25-49) or five (aged 50-64) years by letter followed (in most cases) by text message (SMS) reminders. However, analyses from 2018 found that those with severe mental illness (SMI), particularly aged 45-64, were 20% more likely not to have participated in cervical screening within the recommended time period than people without SMI. \nMental health service users and healthcare professionals have developed an informed choice tool (information leaflet) for those who are anxious about attending, to improve cervical screening rates. This tool is available as a webpage on the gov.uk website, as a downloadable leaflet on Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust website and as an animation on YouTube. However, links to these resources are not included in the current invitation letter or text message reminders. \nIn a pilot trial, people with SMI and overdue cervical screening (identified through general practices) will be randomised to receive either an enhanced text message reminder with a link to the tool (intervention) or the standard text message (control) normally received. The pilot will be managed by iPLATO (who are commissioned by the NHS to conduct research and deliver text messages). Participating general practices will search for eligible people, pass this list to iPLATO who will send an invitation letter, randomise participants, send the appropriate text message and share the anonymised data (e.g. age, ethnicity, attended for screening) with the research team.\nThe pilot will run for 12 months and is funded by the National Institute of Health and Social Care Research Policy Research Unit in Behavioural Science. It will inform a potential future full-scale trial to determine whether the enhanced cervical screening reminder increases uptake in people with SMI.\n
REC name
West Midlands - Edgbaston Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
23/WM/0037
Date of REC Opinion
28 Mar 2023
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion