The benefits of uncertainty: changes in women's perceptions of the cervical screening programme as a consequence of screening errors by Kent and Canterbury NHS Trust

A great deal of psychological research has examined predictors of compliance with health screening programmes. Previous research has not examined the impact of health 'scares' on these predictors. The present study examines changes in perceptions of the cervical screening programme from 1995 to 1998 as a consequence of the publicity surrounding screening errors in Kent and Canterbury NHS Trust. A questionnaire survey was conducted across two cohorts; 414 women students participated. It was found that from 1995 to 1998 there was a significant reduction in the accuracy of knowledge about the smear test process and in perceptions of reliability of the screening programme. Perceived vulnerability to cervical abnormality increased significantly from 1995 to 1998, as did perceived vulnerability to cervical cancer. Anticipation of negative emotions as a result of an abnormal smear test result decreased from 1995 to 1998. The 1998 cohort strongly intended to comply with the screening programme, the modal response being the highest scale point. It would seem that, despite reduced confidence in the programme, women in the 1998 sample feel more vulnerable to cervical cancer and are less concerned with the prospect of receiving an abnormal result than the 1995 sample.