Abstract 97: Designing a Counseling App to Reduce the Psycho-Social Impact of HPV-Testing: A User-Centered Design Approach
Authors: Antelo Victoria Sanchez , Szwarc Lucila , Frejdkes Paula , Paolino Melisa , Saimovici Diana , Massaccesi Silvia , Arrossi Silvina 
Published: July 2021

Purpose: HPV-testing detects sexually transmitted infection with oncogenic types of HPV. For many HPV+ women, this result has negative connotations, it produces anxiety, fear of cancer or death, and disease denial. While face-to-face counseling could present many difficulties in its implementation, a counseling mobile-app may help HPV+ women reduce the psychosocial impact of the result, improve their knowledge about HPV and CC and increase adherence to follow-up.

Methods: We conducted formative research based on a user-centered design approach. We carried out 29 individual online interviews with HPV+ women aged 30 and over, and four focus groups (FG) with a total of 19 participants through a virtual platform. We used a focus group guide to produce data for the information architecture (i.e., how to organize contents into features). We carried out thematic analysis using constructs from the Health Belief Model and Integrative Behavioral Model to identify content preferences and turn them into app features. We used the RQDA package of R software for data processing.

Results: Preliminary results showed that participants needed more information regarding the procedures they had received; about what HPV+ means; what are the causes of HPV; if the HPV is present only in females; and if HPV has consequences on their sexuality. Also, we found that women's fear of the disease and death could increase after medical consultations. They had complaints when they had left the consultation with unanswered questions and misconceptions, such as believing that HPV+ is a synonym for cancer. Women accepted the App as a tool to get information and they agreed it can be useful to reduce fears related to HPV-positive results. They would use a mobile-app if the doctor or a health authority recommends it. They believe the app should provide information through videos, illustrations, or infographics, but not by pictures or only text. The app has to offer information on the next steps in the follow-up and medical appointment reminders.

Conclusion: Providing information that meets women's needs and counseling could be a way of reducing fears. A mobile-app seems to be an acceptable and suitable tool to provide support to HPV+ women.

Funding: This work was supported by a Conquer Cancer International Innovation Grant. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect those of the American Society of Clinical Oncology® or Conquer Cancer®.

Citation Format: Victoria Sanchez Antelo, Lucila Szwarc, Paula Frejdkes, Melisa Paolino, Diana Saimovici, Silvia Massaccesi, Silvina Arrossi. Designing a Counseling App to Reduce the Psycho-Social Impact of HPV-Testing: A User-Centered Design Approach [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 9th Annual Symposium on Global Cancer Research; Global Cancer Research and Control: Looking Back and Charting a Path Forward; 2021 Mar 10-11. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2021;30(7 Suppl):Abstract nr 97.