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Results of a community‐based cervical cancer screening pilot project using human papillomavirus self‐sampling in Kampala, Uganda
Author(s) -
Ogilvie Gina S.,
Mitchell Sheona,
Sekikubo Musa,
Biryabarema Christine,
Byamugisha Josaphat,
Jeronimo Jose,
Miller Dianne,
Steinberg Malcolm,
Money Deborah M.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
international journal of gynecology and obstetrics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.895
H-Index - 97
eISSN - 1879-3479
pISSN - 0020-7292
DOI - 10.1016/j.ijgo.2013.03.019
Subject(s) - medicine , colposcopy , cervical cancer , chlamydia trachomatis , outreach , gynecology , obstetrics , human papillomavirus , cervical cancer screening , family medicine , cancer , political science , law
Objective To examine the feasibility of a community‐based screening program using human papillomavirus (HPV) self‐sampling in a low‐income country with a high burden of cervical cancer. Methods A pilot study was conducted among 205 women aged 30–69 years in the Kisenyi district of Kampala, Uganda, from September 5 to October 30, 2011. Women were invited to provide a self‐collected specimen for high‐risk oncogenic HPV testing by outreach workers at their homes and places of gathering in their community. Specimens were tested for HPV, Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Chlamydia trachomatis . Women who tested positive for HPV were referred for colposcopy, biopsy, and treatment at a regional hospital. Results Of the 199 women who provided a specimen, 35 (17.6%) tested positive for HPV. The outreach workers were able to provide results to 30 women (85.7%). In all, 26 (74.3%) of the women infected with HPV attended their colposcopy appointments and 4 (11.4%) women were diagnosed with grade 3 cervical intraepithelial neoplasia. Conclusion Self‐collection of samples for community‐based HPV testing was an acceptable option; most women who tested positive attended for definitive treatment. Self‐sampling could potentially allow for effective recruitment to screening programs in limited‐resource settings.