Women referred for colposcopy following abnormal cervical smears are extremely anxious. The purpose of the current study is to compare the effectiveness of two booklets in reducing this anxiety. One booklet was brief, simply written to provide procedural information, behavioural instructions and outcome information. The other booklet was longer and more complex focusing largely upon procedural and outcome information. Women referred for colposcopy for the first time following abnormal cervical smears were randomly allocated to one of four groups: Group 1 received the appointment letter, Group 2 received the appointment letter and the simple booklet, Group 3 received the appointment letter and the more complex booklet, Group 4 received the appointment letter and both booklets. While receipt of either booklet increased women's knowledge about cervical abnormalities and colposcopy, women who received the simpler booklet were less anxious shortly after receipt of their appointments than women receiving no information or the complex booklet, and were also less anxious than those not receiving this booklet when they attended the hospital for colposcopy. There was also some evidence that these women were more reassured from this consultation than those who had not received this booklet. Receiving the more complex booklet increased knowledge but did not reduce anxiety. The aspects of the simple booklet that led to reduced anxiety, and how, remain to be determined.
