scholarly journals High Acceptability of Human Papillomavirus Self-Sampling Among Nonattenders of a Public Cervical Cancer Screening Program in El Salvador

2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement 1) ◽  
pp. 13s-13s
Author(s):  
Mauricio Maza ◽  
Mario Melendez ◽  
Miriam Cremer ◽  
Rachel Masch ◽  
Todd Alonzo ◽  
...  

Abstract 29 Purpose In high-income countries, human papillomavirus (HPV) self-sampling has been demonstrated to increase adherence to cervical cancer prevention initiatives in underscreened women. El Salvador recently completed the Cervical Cancer Prevention in El Salvador (CAPE) program using a high-risk HPV test as the screening method. Although successful, 12% of targeted women did not attend their screening appointments. HPV self-sampling may offer the opportunity to reach these nonattending women. In the current study, we evaluated HPV self-sampling as a way to increase screening among CAPE nonattenders and to report factors that impact self-sampling acceptability in a low- to middle-income country. Methods Nonattending and underscreened women age 30 to 59 years from the Paracentral region of El Salvador were invited to participate (N = 2,019). Women were visited at home and offered self-sampling with an HPV test. Women who provided consent also received a series of questionnaires to collect demographic and test acceptability data. After tests were analyzed, women were provided with results during another home visit. HPV-positive women were asked to make an appointment at a local clinic to undergo colposcopy, biopsy, and, if eligible, cryotherapy treatment. Women with contraindications for cryotherapy were referred to appropriate treatment or follow-up. Results Of 1,989 eligible women, 94% accepted the HPV self-sampled test. Of these, 11.8% (n = 221) tested positive. All but 13 women attended the colposcopy appointment, and 190 women received cryotherapy. Biopsy results revealed low-grade precancer in 6.3% of women, whereas 12.6% received diagnoses of high-grade precancer. Reasons for not attending the original CAPE appointment included logistic concerns, but also discomfort with male providers, confidentiality fears, and misconceptions regarding HPV, cervical cancer, and the screening procedure. Conclusion HPV self-sampling was shown to be overwhelmingly acceptable to nonattending and underscreened rural women in El Salvador. This method may be a feasible alternative that circumvents barriers to cervical cancer screening in low- to middle-income countries. AUTHORS' DISCLOSURES OF POTENTIAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST No COIs from the authors

2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sunday Joseph Ayamolowo ◽  
Lydia Feyisayo Akinrinde ◽  
Monisola Omoyeni Oginni ◽  
Love Bukola Ayamolowo

The global incidence of cancer is rising, and low-income and lower-middle-income countries have the worst figures. However, knowledge of cervical cancer prevention and cervical cancer screening practices remains poor in these regions. This study assessed the concept of health literacy as a potential determinant of knowledge of cervical cancer prevention and screening practices among female undergraduates. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 385 female undergraduates at a university in southwest Nigeria. A validated questionnaire composed of subscales on nine components of health literacy, knowledge of cervical cancer prevention, and cervical cancer screening practices was used for data collection. The majority of the respondents obtained a high score on most of the components of health literacy and 66% had good knowledge of cervical cancer prevention. Only 11% demonstrated good practices of Pap smear testing. Of all the components of health literacy, “feeling understood and supported by healthcare providers” (OR = 0.075; 95% CI [0.036–0.115]; p = 0.015) and “understanding health information well enough to know what to do” (OR = 0.055; 95% CI [0.006–0.104]; p = 0.029) were significantly associated with knowledge of cervical cancer prevention. Out of the major challenges related to cervical cancer screening among undergraduates, the feeling of being at risk (OR = 4.71; p < 0.05) and uncomfortable experiences from past screening (OR = 0.12; p < 0.05) were significantly associated with going for cervical cancer screening. The study concluded that levels of health literacy influenced knowledge of cervical cancer prevention among female undergraduates, but it did not affect their engagement in cervical cancer screening practices.


2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (18) ◽  
pp. 2073-2086
Author(s):  
Saule Balmagambetova ◽  
Andrea Tinelli ◽  
Ospan A. Mynbaev ◽  
Arip Koyshybaev ◽  
Olzhas Urazayev ◽  
...  

High-risk human papillomavirus strains are widely known to be the causative agents responsible for cervical cancer development. Aggregated damage caused by papillomaviruses solely is estimated in at least 5% of all malignancies of the human body and 16% in cancers that affect the female genital area. Enhanced understanding of the complex issue on how the high extent of carcinogenicity is eventually formed due to the infection by the Papoviridae family would contribute to enhancing current prevention strategies not only towards cervical cancer, but also other HPV associated cancers. This review article is aimed at presenting the key points in two directions: the current cervical cancer prevention and related aspects of HPV behavior. Virtually all applied technologies related to HPV diagnostics and screening programs, such as HPV tests, colposcopy-based tests (VIA/VILI), conventional and liquid-based cytology, currently available are presented. Issues of availability, advantages, and drawbacks of the screening programs, as well as vaccination strategies, are also reviewed in the article based on the analyzed sources. The current point of view regarding HPV is discussed with emphasis on the most problematic aspect of the HPV family concerning the observed increasing number of highly carcinogenic types. Present trends in HPV infection diagnostics throughout the human fluids and tissues are also reported, including the latest novelties in this field, such as HPV assay/self-sample device combinations. Besides, a brief outline of the related prevention issues in Kazakhstan, the leading country of Central Asia, is presented. Kazakhstan, as one of the post-soviet middle-income countries, may serve as an example of the current situation in those terrains, concerning the implementation of globally accepted cervical cancer prevention strategies. Along with positive achievements, such as the development of a nationwide screening program, a range of drawbacks is also analyzed and discussed.


2011 ◽  
Vol 07 (04) ◽  
pp. 243
Author(s):  
Channa E Schmeink ◽  
Leon FAG Massuger ◽  
Willem JG Melchers ◽  
Ruud LM Bekkers ◽  
◽  
...  

Primary screening based on detection of human papillomavirus (HPV) has proved to be more sensitive than cytology for the detection of high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN). Self-sampling for specimen collection may also improve the participation rate, especially in the non-responder group. However, HPV is highly prevalent and therefore HPV detection has a lower specificity in cervical cancer screening than cytology. In addition to the clinically validated HPV test, HPV dynamics should be taken into account. It is important to identify women with a chronic productive infection likely to cause, or to already have caused, high-grade CIN or cervical carcinoma, and to limit overtreatment of women with a transient infection. Furthermore, the introduction of the HPV vaccine is likely to lower the incidence of CIN and cervical carcinoma, which will lower the positive predictive value of cervical cancer screening. This potential impact needs to be taken into account when planning for future screening guidelines.


2017 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 18-22 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea Obročníková ◽  
Ľudmila Majerníková

AbstractAim. Cervical cancer is the most common genital malignancy and one of the leading causes of death among female population in Slovakia. At present, this location of cancer is preventable disease visible in screening for premalignant lesions if the women use and participate in such screening regularly. We assessed the knowledge on the cervical cancer screening, the attitude towards it and its utilization among women in Slovakia.Material and methods. A cross-sectional study evaluated the knowledge, attitude and practice of cervical cancer prevention and screening among women. The sample was composed of 239 women aged 18-64 years. Data collection was conducted by selfadministered questionnaire in a period from January to April 2015.Results. Respondents exhibited an average knowledge of cervical cancer, about risk factors and early signs, but awareness of cervical cancer screening was satisfactory. Despite the fact that respondents expressed good attitude to cervical cancer screening, their level of practice was low (64% participation in preventative gynaecology check-ups and 43% in Pap smear tests within one year and 44% within three years). In the study we could observe better results in women with higher education when it comes to an illness (p < .001), its prevention (p < .001) and risk behaviour (p < .001).Conclusions. The awareness of cervical cancer among women in Slovakia is limited. In the future there is a need to educate and promote awareness of cervical cancer among women to reduce the burden of morbidity and mortality.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elisha Ngetich ◽  
Irene Nzisa ◽  
Alfred Osoti

AbstractIntroductionCervical cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in women in low- and middle-income countries. In Kenya, cervical cancer incidence and prevalence have been increasing and in 2018 alone, there were 3286 deaths from cervical cancer. Previously, studies on cervical cancer prevention strategies have focused on women above 30 years old. However, as the risk factors for cervical cancer are acquired as early as in the teen years, an understanding of the awareness, uptake and determinants of screening services among college female students will help inform prevention strategies. This study sought to determine the awareness, uptake, determinants and barriers to cervical cancer screening services among colleges students in Kenya.MethodsThis was a multicenter cross-sectional study conducted in eight universities spread all over Kenya. Participants were interviewed using a self-administered structured questionnaire on sociodemographics, reproductive history, awareness on cervical cancer including screening practices, and attitude towards cervical cancer prevention services. Descriptive statistics were summarized using means and standard deviation (SD) for parametric data and median and interquartile range (IQR) for non-parametric data. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were done to determine odds ratios of factors associated with uptake of cervical cancer screening services. P-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant.ResultsBetween January 2017 and Sept 2017, we screened 800 and enrolled 600 female colleges students from eight universities in Kenya. In total, 549 of the 600 (92%) participants completed the questionnaire. The median age (IQR) was 21(20,22) years. Nearly two-thirds 338(62.7%) were sexually active, while 54(16%) had concurrent sexual partners. The main form of contraception was oral postcoital emergency pills 123(64.7%). Only 76(14.4%) had screened for cervical cancer, and the commonest approach was a Pap smear 47(61.8%). About one half 40(54.1%) did not like their experience due to pain, discomfort and bleeding. Four out of five participants (439, 80.7%) had poor knowledge on cervical cancer screening. On bivariate analysis, increased level of awareness (odds ratio [OR] 1.08 95% Confidence Interval [CI] 1.03,1.18, p = 0.004), knowledge of someone with cervical cancer(OR 0.43 CI 0.23,0.78 p=0.006) and a perception of self-risk (OR2.6 CI 1.38,4.98 p=0.003) were associated with increased odds of uptake of cervical cancer screening. In the multivariate analysis, high awareness was significantly associated with increased odds of cervical cancer screening (OR 1.12 CI 1.04, 1.20 p=0.002).ConclusionsFemale college students in Kenya had low levels of awareness on cervical cancer and had very low uptake of cervical cancer screening. However, high perception of self-risk and perceived benefit was associated with increased odds of cervical cancer screening.RecommendationsSince female colleges students are generally thought to be more knowledgeable and have better access to information compared to the general population, the low levels of knowledge and uptake of cervical cancer screening, calls for a rethink of strategies that focus on the younger population including those in primary, high school and universities. Such strategies include HPV vaccination and incorporation of cancer prevention in school curriculum.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erin E Hahn ◽  
Corrine Munoz-Plaza ◽  
Danielle Altman ◽  
Chunyi Hsu ◽  
Nancy Cannizzaro ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: New cervical cancer screening guidelines recommend primary human papillomavirus (HPV) testing for women age 30-65 years. Healthcare organizations are preparing to de-implement the previous recommended strategies of Pap testing or co-testing (Pap plus HPV test) and substitute primary HPV testing. However, there may be significant challenges to replacement of this entrenched clinical practice, even with an evidence-based substitution. We sought to identify stakeholder-perceived barriers and facilitators to this substitution within a large healthcare system, Kaiser Permanente Southern California.Methods: We conducted semi-structured qualitative interviews with clinician, administrative and patient stakeholders regarding: (a) acceptability and feasibility of the planned substitution; (b) perceptions of barriers and facilitators, with an emphasis on those related to the de-implementation/implementation cycle of substitution; and (c) perceived readiness to change. Our interview guide was informed by the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR). Using a team coding approach, we developed an initial coding structure refined during iterative analysis; the data were subsequently organized thematically into domains, key themes, and sub-themes using thematic analysis, followed by framework analysis informed by CFIR.Results: We conducted 23 interviews: 5 patient and 18 clinical/administrative. Clinicians perceived that patients feel more tests equals better care, and clinicians and patients expressed fear of missed cancers (“…it’ll be more challenging convincing the patient that only one test is…good enough to detect cancer.”). Patients perceived practice changes resulting in “less care” are driven by desire to cut costs. In contrast, clinicians/administrators viewed changing from two tests to one as acceptable and a workflow efficiency (“…It’s very easy and half the work.”). Stakeholder-recommended strategies included focusing on the increased efficacy of primary HPV testing and developing clinician talking points incorporating national guidelines to assuage ‘cost-cutting’ fears. Conclusions: Substitution to replace an entrenched clinical practice is complex. Leveraging available facilitators is key to ease the process for clinical and administrative stakeholders—e.g., emphasizing the efficiency of going from two tests to one. Identifying and addressing clinician and patient fears regarding cost-cutting and perceived poorer quality of care is critical for substitution. Multicomponent and multilevel strategies for engagement and education will be required.Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov #NCT04371887


PeerJ ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
pp. e3871 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hannah D. Rees ◽  
Alexandra R. Lombardo ◽  
Caroline G. Tangoren ◽  
Sara J. Meyers ◽  
Vishnu R. Muppala ◽  
...  

Background In Nicaragua, cervical cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death for women ages 15–44, yet access to the HPV vaccine is limited to those with financial resources to pay for it. Cervical cytology is provided free of charge in public clinics; however, only 10% of women receive Pap smears at the nationally recommended frequency. Previous studies have not investigated how beliefs regarding cervical cancer screening may differ for urban and rural populations in Nicaragua. Furthermore, no investigation has assessed Nicaraguan women’s beliefs about a potential HPV immunization campaign. Given beliefs’ influence on health behavior, we investigated the structural, sociocultural, and knowledge-based factors influencing women’s beliefs regarding cervical cancer screening among urban and rural women in León, Nicaragua, and assessed acceptance of a potential HPV immunization program. Methods Our sequential explanatory mixed-methods study consisted of two phases: (1) a close-ended questionnaire, followed by (2) a qualitative, in-depth interview. Our quantitative sample contained 117 urban and 112 rural participants aged 18–49. We assessed beliefs regarding cervical cancer screening using a 22-item scale, with higher scores indicating screening-promoting beliefs in simple linear and multiple linear regressions. Twenty qualitative interviews, exploring the sociocultural dimensions of knowledge and attitudes indicated by our quantitative findings, were conducted with a sample of 13 urban and 7 rural women aged 19–46. Results The multiple linear regression indicates that greater knowledge of Pap smears, HPV, and cervical cancer is significantly associated with screening-promoting beliefs after adjusting for other relevant factors. There was no significant difference in screening knowledge and beliefs for urban and rural women. Four recurrent themes representing determinants of knowledge, beliefs, and attitudes regarding cervical cancer screening arose from interviews and built on quantitative findings: (1) women’s embarrassment due to the intimate nature of the Pap smear and male gender of exam provider discourages screening; (2) women believe Pap smears and cervical cancer are associated with sexual promiscuity, and this association stigmatizes women with the disease; (3) knowledge of cervical cancer prevention is limited to those who regularly attend health centers; and (4) women find screening inconvenient, believing understaffed clinics increase patient wait time, limit time patients spend with clinicians, and delay Pap results. A fifth theme indicates (5) participants’ acceptance of a potential HPV immunization program. Discussion Future interventions should focus on increasing access to information about cervical cancer prevention for women who do not regularly attend health centers. Furthermore, our results suggest that if funding were allocated to make the HPV vaccine accessible in Nicaragua, it would be well received.


Author(s):  
Anthonia O. C. Onyenwenyi ◽  
Gugu Gladness Mchunu

Abstract Aim: The study explored the knowledge and service delivery skills of primary health care (PHC) workers to conduct cervical cancer screening programmes in Sango primary health centre in Sango town, Ado-Odo Ota, Ogun State in Nigeria. Background: Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer affecting women. The prevention and control services in Nigeria are provided mainly at post-primary health facilities. Authorities have advocated the integration of cervical cancer prevention into reproductive health services provided at PHC centres. The service delivery capabilities of PHC workers are critical for successful implementation of screening programmes. Method: Exploratory qualitative research design was used. Data were collected among 10 PHC workers who were purposively sampled at Sango PHC. Semi-structured interview guide with broad items and a checklist were used to assess participants’ cervical cancer screening knowledge and service delivery skills using visual inspection screening methods. Data were analysed thematically and triangulated. Findings: A range of roles were represented in the interviews of the health care workers at the PHC studied. They had poor knowledge and skills about cervical cancer screening using visual inspection with acetic acid and visual inspection with Lugol’s iodine. Study participants perceived nurses as most equipped PHC workers to conduct screening at PHC level, followed by the community health officers. Participants reported no cervical cancer services at the centre and community. The findings provided useful insight that guided the training of primary health workers and the development of a community-based cervical cancer screening model for women in rural communities. Conclusion: Nurses and other PHC workers should be trained on visual inspection screening method. This low-cost but effective methodology could be incorporated into their training curricula as a strategy for scaling up cervical cancer prevention programmes across Nigeria.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document