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Mantula F, Toefy Y. Exploring the Impact of COVID-19 on Cervical Cancer Screening Services: A Qualitative Study of Healthcare Providers' and Women's Perspectives and Experiences. Health Serv Insights 2024; 17:11786329241275883. [PMID: 39234421 PMCID: PMC11372765 DOI: 10.1177/11786329241275883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 07/30/2024] [Indexed: 09/06/2024] Open
Abstract
A qualitative exploration was conducted to analyse the reasons behind the low utilisation of cervical cancer screening services in Gwanda district, Zimbabwe, focusing on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The study involved 5 focus group discussions with 36 women, utilising maximum variation sampling to explore the effects of COVID-19 on screening coverage. Additionally, in-depth interviews were conducted with 25 health-care providers from primary health facilities and the provincial hospital offering screening services. The results suggest a decline in the progress of the cervical cancer screening programme due to the disruptions caused by COVID-19 which subsequently reduced women's access to screening and treatment services. It was anticipated that restoring women's confidence in adherence to screening would require time post-pandemic. Moreover, findings highlighted the potential progression of undetected precursor lesions to advanced cancer stages during non-screening periods, which may increase future cervical cancer morbidity and mortality. The findings underscore the importance of integrating cervical cancer screening messaging within broader health communication strategies to emphasise the significance of health interventions for overall well-being. This study recommends the adoption of more efficient screening methods, such as Human-Papillomavirus self-sampling to mitigate future disruptions in screening services, thereby guiding policymakers towards implementing best screening approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fennie Mantula
- Department of Nursing and Midwifery, National University of Science and Technology, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
- Department of Global Health, Division of Health Systems and Public Health, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Yoesrie Toefy
- Department of Global Health, Division of Health Systems and Public Health, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
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Chen X, Jin X, Kong L, Liou Y, Liu P, Dong Z, Zhou S, Qi B, Fei J, Chen X, Xiong G, Hu Y, Liu S, Zhou J, Shou H, Li L. Triage performance of PAX1 m/JAM3 m in opportunistic cervical cancer screening of non‒16/18 human papillomavirus-positive women: a multicenter prospective study in China. Clin Epigenetics 2024; 16:108. [PMID: 39152491 PMCID: PMC11330154 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-024-01731-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 08/13/2024] [Indexed: 08/19/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES In this study, we aimed to validate the performance of the PAX1 and JAM3 methylation (PAX1m/JAM3m) test as a triage tool for detecting cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 3 or worse (CIN3 +) in non-16/18 high-risk human papillomavirus-positive patients (non-16/18 hrHPV +). METHODS The triage performance of liquid-based cytology (LBC) and the PAX1m/JAM3m test for detecting CIN3 + were compared. RESULTS In total, 1851 participants had cervical histological outcomes and were included in the analysis. The sensitivity/specificity of the LBC test results with atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance or worse (LBC ≥ ASCUS) and the PAX1m/JAM3m test were 90.1%/26.7% and 84.8%/88.5%, respectively. PAX1m/JAM3m( +) had the highest diagnostic AUC (0.866, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.837-0.896) in the whole cohort. All cancers (n = 20) were detected by PAX1m/JAM3m(+). Compared with LBC ≥ ASCUS, PAX1m/JAM3m(+) reduced the number of patients who needed referral for colposcopy by 57.21% (74.66% vs. 17.45%). The odds ratios for detecting CIN3 + by LBC ≥ ASCUS and PAX1m/JAM3m(+) were 3.3 (95% CI 2.0-5.9) and 42.6 (27.1-69.6), respectively (p < 0.001). The combination of LBC ≥ ASCUS or PAX1m/JAM3m(+) slightly increased the diagnostic sensitivity (98.0%, 95% CI: 95.8-100%) and referral rate (77.09%) but reduced the diagnostic specificity (24.8%, 22.7-26.8%). CONCLUSIONS In non-16/18 hrHPV(+) women, PAX1m/JAM3m was superior to cytology for detecting CIN3 + . Compared with LBC ≥ ASCUS, PAX1m/JAM3m(+) reduced the number of significant referrals to colposcopy without compromising diagnostic sensitivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaojing Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing, 100730, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Obstetric & Gynecologic Diseases, Beijing, 100730, China
- State Key Laboratory for Complex, Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Xitong Jin
- Department of Medical Laboratory, Beijing Origin-Poly Bio-Tec Co., Ltd., Beijing, 102600, China
| | - Linghua Kong
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing, 100730, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Obstetric & Gynecologic Diseases, Beijing, 100730, China
- State Key Laboratory for Complex, Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Yuligh Liou
- Department of Medical Laboratory, Beijing Origin-Poly Bio-Tec Co., Ltd., Beijing, 102600, China
- Clinical Precision Medicine Research Center, the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, 510062, China
| | - Pei Liu
- Department of Medical Laboratory, Beijing Origin-Poly Bio-Tec Co., Ltd., Beijing, 102600, China
| | - Zhe Dong
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University International Hospital, Beijing, 100000, China
| | - Sijun Zhou
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region People's Hospital, Hohhot, 010000, China
| | - Bingli Qi
- Department of Gynecology, Cangzhou Central Hospital, Cangzhou, 061000, China
| | - Jing Fei
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310000, China
| | - Xiaoyan Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Hangzhou, 310000, China
| | - Guangwu Xiong
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University International Hospital, Beijing, 100000, China
| | - Yuchong Hu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region People's Hospital, Hohhot, 010000, China
| | - Shikai Liu
- Department of Gynecology, Cangzhou Central Hospital, Cangzhou, 061000, China
| | - Jianwei Zhou
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310000, China
| | - Huafeng Shou
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Hangzhou, 310000, China
| | - Lei Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing, 100730, China.
- National Clinical Research Center for Obstetric & Gynecologic Diseases, Beijing, 100730, China.
- State Key Laboratory for Complex, Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing, 100730, China.
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Rine S, Lara ST, Bikomeye JC, Beltrán-Ponce S, Kibudde S, Niyonzima N, Lawal OO, Mulamira P, Beyer KMM. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on cancer care including innovations implemented in Sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic review. J Glob Health 2023; 13:06048. [PMID: 37976409 PMCID: PMC10656081 DOI: 10.7189/jogh.13.06048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has caused disruptions in the delivery and utilisation of cancer services. The impact of these interruptions is disproportionately borne by low- and middle-income countries in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). There are speculations of increased late-stage presentation and mortality as services are returning to the pre-pandemic state. This review aims to explore the extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic impacted cancer services across SSA and to identify innovations implemented across SSA to mitigate the impacts. Methods Using database-specific search strategies, a systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed, Ovid (MedLine), Web of Science, and African Index Medicus. Eligible studies included original research, reports, perspectives and summaries of national or regional outcomes published in the English language. The primary outcome was changes in the delivery and utilisation of cancer prevention and screening, diagnosis, treatment and follow-up services. The secondary outcome was to identify implemented innovations to mitigate the impact of the pandemic on service delivery. Results Out of the 167 articles identified in the literature search, 46 were included in the synthesis. A majority (95.7%) of the included articles described suspension and/or delay of screening, diagnosis, and treatment services, although two studies (4.3%) described the continuation of services despite the lockdown. Care was additionally impacted by transportation limitations, shortages of staff and personal protective equipment, disruption of the medication supply chain and patients' fears and stigma associated with contracting COVID-19. A major innovation was the use of telemedicine and virtual platforms for patient consultation and follow-up during the pandemic in SSA. Furthermore, drones and mobile applications were used for sample collection, medication delivery and scheduling of treatment. In some instances, medication routes and treatment protocols were changed. Conclusions The delivery and utilisation of cancer services decreased substantially during the pandemic. Cancer centres initiated innovative methods of care delivery, including telehealth and drone use, with long-term potential to mitigate the impact of the pandemic on service delivery. Cancer centres in SSA must explore sustainable, facility or country-specific innovations as services return to the pre-pandemic state. Registration The review was registered in PROSPERO with registration number CRD42022351455.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Rine
- Division of Epidemiology & Social Sciences, Institute for Health and Equity, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Shana T Lara
- Division of Epidemiology & Social Sciences, Institute for Health and Equity, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Jean C Bikomeye
- Division of Epidemiology & Social Sciences, Institute for Health and Equity, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Sara Beltrán-Ponce
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
| | | | | | - Olatunji O Lawal
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria
| | | | - Kirsten MM Beyer
- Division of Epidemiology & Social Sciences, Institute for Health and Equity, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
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Yi J, Li X, Zhang R, Kong L, Wang Z, Yu Q, Zhang H, Chen B, Li S, Xu Y, Chen Y. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the prevalence and genotype distribution of HPV infection in Beijing, China. J Med Virol 2023; 95:e29155. [PMID: 37815056 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.29155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2023] [Revised: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/11/2023]
Abstract
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections nationwide. The COVID-19 pandemic has greatly influenced on the HPV prevention project. The objective of this study was to examine the influence of the pandemic on HPV prevalence and genotype distribution in Beijing, China. A total of 44 401 genital swabs were obtained from outpatients at Peking Union Medical College Hospital during two distinct periods: the prepandemic stage from January 2017 to December 2019 and the pandemic stage from January 2020 to December 2022. During the prepandemic and pandemic stages, a total of 33 531 and 10 870 swabs were respectively collected. Fifteen high-risk HPV (HR-HPV) DNA type and a combination of two low-risk (LR-HPV) types (6/11) of genital swabs were detected to compare the HPV infection rates and genotype distributions in two stages. The results showed that the pandemic period witnessed a decrease in the overall HPV infection rate from 33.43% (11 245/33 531) to 29.43% (5527/18 780) compared to the prepandemic. There were statistically significant differences in infection rates between females and males (p < 0.05). Single infection was the predominant type while multiple infection was more prevalent in males than females in both prepandemic and pandemic periods. HR-HPV infection constituted the majority of infections and cannot be disregarded. The distribution of HR-HPV genotypes exhibited little variation before and after the outbreak, but there were some differences between females and males. HPV 16, 52, 58, 56, and 66 were the most commonly detected genotypes in females, whereas HPV 16, 52, 51, 58, and 18 were frequently detected in males. Additionally, HPV 6/11 exhibited a higher prevalence in males than in females. Notably, the age group of 31-40 years old exhibited the highest prevalence of HPV and the lowest infection rate was detected among individuals aged ≤20 years (p < 0.05), which remained relatively consistent before and during the pandemic. These findings underscore the importance of monitoring the trend of HPV epidemic and offer valuable insights for the prevention, treatment, and scientific investigation of HPV in the post-COVID-19 era.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Yi
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Xu Li
- Coyote Bioscience Co., Ltd., Beijing, China
| | - Rui Zhang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Lingjun Kong
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Ziyi Wang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Qi Yu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Han Zhang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | | | - Sabrina Li
- Coyote Bioscience Co., Ltd., Beijing, China
| | - Yingchun Xu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Yu Chen
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
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Lee J, Ismail-Pratt I, Machalek DA, Kumarasamy S, Garland SM. The recovery strategies to support cervical cancer elimination in lower-and middle-income countries (LMICs) following COVID-19 disruptions. Prev Med Rep 2023; 35:102291. [PMID: 37455756 PMCID: PMC10307672 DOI: 10.1016/j.pmedr.2023.102291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2023] [Revised: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the existing challenges to achieving the WHO target of eliminating cervical cancer as a public health problem by working towards the target of fewer than four cases per 100 000 women. We reviewed the literature to identify potential recovery strategies to support cervical cancer prevention programs in lower-and middle-income countries (LMICs) following COVID-19 disruptions and the extent to which strategies have been implemented. Utilising the WHO health systems framework, we mapped these recovery strategies against the six building blocks to examine their reach across the health system. Most recovery strategies were focused on service delivery, while leadership and governance played a pivotal role in the continuity of cervical cancer prevention programs during the pandemic. Leadership and governance were the drivers for outcomes in the building blocks of health information systems, financing and critical support in operationalising service delivery strategies. In the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic with strained health resources and economies, stakeholders would significantly influence the coverage and sustainability of cervical cancer prevention programs. The support from multisectoral stakeholders would accelerate the recovery of cervical cancer prevention programs. To achieve the WHO target by 2030, we call for future studies to understand the barriers and facilitators from the perspectives of stakeholders in order to support the decision-making processes and information required to implement recovery strategies in LMICs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ida Ismail-Pratt
- Asia Pacific HPV Coalition
- The Obstetrics & Gynaecology Centre, Mount Elizabeth Novena Specialist Centre, 38 Irrawaddy Road, Singapore 329563
| | - Dorothy A Machalek
- Centre for Women’s Infectious Diseases, The Royal Women’s Hospital, Parkville 3052, Victoria, Australia
- The Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Kensington 2052, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Suresh Kumarasamy
- Asia Pacific HPV Coalition
- Gleneagles Hospital Penang, 10050 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
| | - Suzanne M. Garland
- Asia Pacific HPV Coalition
- Centre for Women’s Infectious Diseases, The Royal Women’s Hospital, Parkville 3052, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Parkville 3052, Victoria, Australia
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Ojo C, Orji C, Adedeji A, Nwachukwu C, Fagbemi O. Cancer Care During the COVID-19 Pandemic: The African Narrative and Prospects. Cureus 2023; 15:e43803. [PMID: 37731407 PMCID: PMC10508643 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.43803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/19/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on healthcare services globally. Whilst it has been particularly disruptive for cancer care in low-resource settings, a few African countries have been able to adapt strategies to enable continued delivery of medical care to persons with cancer. This study seeks to highlight how much effect the coronavirus pandemic has had on oncological care in Africa and to indicate the way forward. For this narrative review, PubMed and Google Scholar were used to search for literature addressing the effect of the coronavirus pandemic on the care of patients with cancer in Africa with ensuing coping strategies. Selection criteria were manuscripts published since the onset of the pandemic in 2019 and written in the English language with Africa being the focus. In total, 52 research papers involving up to 21 African nations were found and reviewed. Across the board, the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in the deferral of oncological screening programs and a halt in immunization activities routinely scheduled for preventable cancers. It caused a colossal shortage in the availability of appropriately trained medical personnel, reduced frequency and duration of outpatient consultations, and a delay in cancer investigations and diagnosis. It also stirred up the substandard modification of chemotherapy regimens and radiotherapy due to the scarcity of anticancer medications and radioisotopes and engendered the cancellation of cancer surgical procedures. Palliative care for patients with locally advanced and metastatic disease was in many cases interrupted and cancer research activities were abruptly deferred. Ultimately, these led to poor patient outcomes and increased cancer-related fatalities. However, a few African countries - Rwanda, Ghana, and Tunisia - have continued to adapt telemedicine, small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS), and home therapy to facilitate cancer care. To date, there is a paucity of data concerning the successes and cost-effectiveness of these relatively new methods recently adapted to cater to the medical needs of cancer patients in Africa. The pandemic has presented the African community an opportunity to advance her healthcare systems, especially as it pertains to the delivery of medical care to persons with cancer. The need of the hour is to study further the alternative cancer care delivery systems initiated during the pandemic in order to determine their sustainability in Africa at large.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles Ojo
- Emergency Department, United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust, Boston, GBR
| | - Chijioke Orji
- Trauma and Orthopaedics, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, Wrexham, GBR
| | - Ayodeji Adedeji
- Emergency Department, Darlington Memorial Hospital, Durham, GBR
| | - Chibuike Nwachukwu
- Breast Surgery, St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, GBR
| | - Ona Fagbemi
- General Surgery, University Hospital North Midlands, Stoke-on-Trent, GBR
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Yang L, Boily MC, Rönn MM, Obiri-Yeboah D, Morhason-Bello I, Meda N, Lompo O, Mayaud P, Pickles M, Brisson M, Hodgins C, Delany-Moretlwe S, Maheu-Giroux M. Regional and country-level trends in cervical cancer screening coverage in sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic analysis of population-based surveys (2000-2020). PLoS Med 2023; 20:e1004143. [PMID: 36634119 PMCID: PMC9882915 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1004143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2022] [Revised: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/18/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) has the highest cervical cancer (CC) burden globally-worsened by its HIV epidemics. In 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) introduced a CC elimination strategy with goals for vaccination, screening, and treatment. To benchmark progress, we examined temporal trends in screening coverage, percent screened at least twice by the age of 45, screening coverage among women living with HIV (WLHIV), and pre-cancer treatment coverage in SSA. METHODS AND FINDINGS We conducted a systematic analysis of cross-sectional population-based surveys. It included 52 surveys from 28 countries (2000 to 2020) with information on CC screening among women aged 25 to 49 years (N = 151,338 women). We estimated lifetime and past 3-year screening coverage by age, year, country, and HIV serostatus using a Bayesian multilevel model. Post-stratification and imputations were done to obtain aggregate national, regional, and SSA-level estimates. To measure re-screening by age 45, a life table model was developed. Finally, self-reported pre-cancer treatment coverage was pooled across surveys using a Bayesian meta-analysis. Overall, an estimated 14% (95% credible intervals [95% CrI]: 11% to 21%) of women aged 30 to 49 years had ever been screened for CC in 2020, with important regional and country-level differences. In Eastern and Western/Central Africa, regional screening coverages remained constant from 2000 to 2020 and WLHIV had greater odds of being screened compared to women without HIV. In Southern Africa, however, screening coverages increased and WLHIV had equal odds of screening. Notably this region was found to have higher screening coverage in comparison to other African regions. Rescreening rates were high among women who have already been screened; however, it was estimated that only 12% (95% CrI: 10% to 18%) of women had been screened twice or more by age 45 in 2020. Finally, treatment coverage among 4 countries with data was 84% (95% CrI: 70% to 95%). Limitations of our analyses include the paucity of data on screening modality and the few countries that had multiple surveys. CONCLUSION Overall, CC screening coverage remains sub-optimal and did not improve much over the last 2 decades, outside of Southern Africa. Action is needed to increase screening coverage if CC elimination is to be achieved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lily Yang
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Population and Global Health, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Marie-Claude Boily
- Medical Research Council Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Minttu M. Rönn
- Department of Global Health and Population, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Dorcas Obiri-Yeboah
- Microbiology and Immunology Department, School of Medical Sciences, College of Health and Allied Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
| | - Imran Morhason-Bello
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and Institute of Advanced Medical Research and Training, College of Medicine, University College Hospital, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
| | - Nicolas Meda
- Faculty of Medicine, Université Joseph Ki-Zerbo, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
| | - Olga Lompo
- Centre de Recherche Internationale en Santé, Université de Ouagadougou, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
| | - Philippe Mayaud
- Clinical Research Department, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Michael Pickles
- Medical Research Council Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Marc Brisson
- Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec-Université Laval, Québec, Québec, Canada; Département de médecine sociale et préventive, Faculté de médecine, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
| | - Caroline Hodgins
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Sinead Delany-Moretlwe
- Wits Reproductive Health and HIV Institute, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Mathieu Maheu-Giroux
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Population and Global Health, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
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Rao SR, Kampan N, Chew KT, Shafiee MN. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the national HPV immunization program in Malaysia. Front Public Health 2022; 10:907720. [PMID: 35979457 PMCID: PMC9376674 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.907720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 07/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In Malaysia, the HPV immunization program has been introduced since 2010 as part of the national immunization plan for female students aged 13 years old. It was a very successful immunization program with good responses from students and parents until the start of COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. The COVID-19 pandemic caused the schools to be closed and resulted about 225000 female students aged 13 years old either missed their vaccination or have incomplete doses of HPV vaccination in 2020 and 2021. This could possibly lead to an increase in cases of cervical cancer and genital warts in the upcoming years. Hence, a wellorganized catch-up HPV vaccination program is vital in ensuring the aim of achieving zero HPV-related infections in the future.
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