Acceptability and Feasibility of HPV Self-Sampling in Urban and Rural Communities in Chile: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Cervical cancer remains a major cause of morbidity among women of reproductive age. While HPV vaccination and screening are expanding, evidence on the acceptability of alternative screening strategies in underserved populations remains limited. HPV vaginal self-sampling is a promising approach, but data from Chile—particularly comparing rural and urban populations—are scarce. This study examined the acceptability of HPV self-sampling among women in rural and urban areas of the Metropolitan Region of Chile. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 780 women aged 25–64 years attending primary healthcare centres in rural (n=243) and urban (n=537) areas. Acceptability was assessed using a structured questionnaire based on the Theoretical Framework of Acceptability (TFA). Two indicators were used: a composite acceptability score derived from core TFA constructs and a single-item measure of overall acceptability. Differences by area of residence were assessed using statistical tests, and associations with prior HPV screening experience were examined using multivariable analyses. Correlations between acceptability measures were also explored.