RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Cervical cancer is detectable and preventable in premalignant stages. In 2013, a population-based cervical cancer screening (CCS) programme was set up in Flanders (Belgium) promoting screening by means of sending reminder letters. Yet, in 2021, only a CCS coverage of 63.6% has been reached, which is just a bare increase since the implementation of the programme (62.7% in 2013) (Jaarrapport 2022, Centrum voor Kankeropsporing (CvKO), 2022; Jaarrapport 2015, Centrum voor Kankeropsporing (CvKO), 2015). OBJECTIVES: To explore the characteristics of under- and neverscreened women in Flanders and to gain a better understanding of the barriers that prevent these women from attending CCS as well as factors that may facilitate CCS uptake. METHODS: Twelve in-depth interviews and six focus group discussions were conducted with gynaecologists, general practitioners, community health workers and stakeholders providing support to women belonging to potentially underscreened population groups. Reported barriers and facilitators were subsequently classified using the Socio-Ecological Model (SEM). Finally, a causal loop diagram was constructed to visualise the dynamic interrelations among the barriers and facilitators. RESULTS: Stakeholders and healthcare professionals confirm the vulnerability for cervical cancer screening in women with a substance use disorder and women with a migration background. The participation in screening among female sex workers is contingent upon their specific work environment. The group of never- or underscreened women is very heterogeneous and includes many women who are either unaware of CCS or have other priorities. A lack of focus on prevention is the most commonly reported barrier at the healthcare system level. Increasing awareness about cervical cancer (screening) and creating more opportunities for healthcare workers to offer prevention services are the primary facilitators. CONCLUSION: To improve screening participation in Flanders, different screening strategies tailored to a diversity of women are needed.
Assuntos
Detecção Precoce de Câncer , Grupos Focais , Pesquisa Qualitativa , Neoplasias do Colo do Útero , Humanos , Feminino , Neoplasias do Colo do Útero/diagnóstico , Neoplasias do Colo do Útero/prevenção & controle , Bélgica , Detecção Precoce de Câncer/estatística & dados numéricos , Adulto , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Aceitação pelo Paciente de Cuidados de Saúde/estatística & dados numéricos , Acessibilidade aos Serviços de Saúde , Atitude do Pessoal de Saúde , Pessoal de Saúde/psicologia , Pessoal de Saúde/estatística & dados numéricos , Entrevistas como Assunto , Conhecimentos, Atitudes e Prática em SaúdeRESUMO
Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats-CRISPR-Associated Protein (CRISPR-Cas) systems have evolved several mechanisms to specifically target foreign DNA. These properties have made them attractive as biosensors. The primary drawback associated with contemporary CRISPR-Cas biosensors is their weak signaling capacity, which is typically compensated for by coupling the CRISPR-Cas systems to nucleic acid amplification. An alternative strategy to improve signaling capacity is to engineer the reporter, i.e., design new signal-generating substrates for Cas proteins. Unfortunately, due to their reliance on custom synthesis, most of these engineered reporter substrates are inaccessible to many researchers. Herein, we investigate a substrate based on a fluorescein (FAM)-tetramethylrhodamine (TAMRA) Förster resonant energy-transfer (FRET) pair that functions as a seamless "drop-in" replacement for existing reporters, without the need to change any other aspect of a CRISPR-Cas12a-based assay. The reporter is readily available and employs FRET to produce two signals upon cleavage by Cas12a. The use of both signals in a ratiometric manner provides for improved assay performance and a decreased time-to-result for several CRISPR-Cas12a assays when compared to a traditional FAM-Black Hole Quencher (BHQ) quench-based reporter. We comprehensively characterize this reporter to better understand the reasons for the improved signaling capacity and benchmark it against the current standard CRISPR-Cas reporter. Finally, to showcase the real-world utility of the reporter, we employ it in a Recombinase Polymerase Amplification (RPA)-CRISPR-Cas12a DNA Endonuclease-Targeted CRISPR Trans Reporter (DETECTR) assay to detect Human papillomavirus in patient-derived samples.
Assuntos
Sistemas CRISPR-Cas , Transferência Ressonante de Energia de Fluorescência , Rodaminas , Transferência Ressonante de Energia de Fluorescência/métodos , Sistemas CRISPR-Cas/genética , Humanos , Rodaminas/química , Técnicas Biossensoriais/métodos , Limite de Detecção , Fluoresceína/química , Proteínas Associadas a CRISPR/genética , Corantes Fluorescentes/química , Proteínas de Bactérias/genética , EndodesoxirribonucleasesRESUMO
OBJECTIVES: Screening tools in which participants self-report sexual behaviors can identify people at risk of HIV acquisition for enrollment in preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP). We compared enrollment outcomes (ie, receiving PrEP vs being excluded by a counselor or declining PrEP) in Mexico's PrEP demonstration project and evaluated the validity of a 4-criteria PrEP eligibility tool in which participants self-reported risk behavior-having condomless anal sex, transactional sex, a partner living with HIV, or a sexually transmitted infection-as compared with PrEP eligibility assessed by a counselor. METHODS: We recruited men who have sex with men and transwomen who were offered PrEP services in Mexico. We characterized participants according to enrollment outcome and identified underlying factors through logistic regression analyses. We calculated the sensitivity and specificity of the self-reported risk criteria, using the counselor's risk assessment as the point of reference. RESULTS: Of 2460 participants, 2323 (94%) had risk criteria of HIV acquisition according to the 4-criteria tool; 1701 (73%) received PrEP, 247 (11%) were excluded by a counselor, and 351 (15%) declined PrEP despite being considered eligible by the counselor. Participants who were excluded or who declined PrEP were less likely to report HIV risk behaviors than those who received PrEP, and participants who declined PrEP were more likely to be transwomen (vs men who have sex with men) and aged ≤25 years (vs >25 y). The 4-criteria risk tool had high sensitivity (98.6%) and low specificity (29.8%). CONCLUSION: The screening tool identified most participants at risk of HIV acquisition, but counselors' assessment helped refine the decision for enrollment in PrEP by excluding those with low risk. Public health strategies are needed to enhance enrollment in PrEP among some groups.
Assuntos
Infecções por HIV , Profilaxia Pré-Exposição , Humanos , Infecções por HIV/prevenção & controle , Infecções por HIV/diagnóstico , Infecções por HIV/epidemiologia , Masculino , Profilaxia Pré-Exposição/estatística & dados numéricos , México/epidemiologia , Adulto , Feminino , Homossexualidade Masculina/estatística & dados numéricos , Adulto Jovem , Programas de Rastreamento/estatística & dados numéricos , Programas de Rastreamento/métodos , Medição de Risco/métodos , Adolescente , Comportamento Sexual/estatística & dados numéricos , Pessoas Transgênero/estatística & dados numéricos , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Autorrelato , Assunção de Riscos , Minorias Sexuais e de Gênero/estatística & dados numéricosRESUMO
OBJECTIVES: This study aims to evaluate the disruption in HIV screening and diagnoses due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and to investigate the pandemic's subsequent influence on the HIV epidemic. DESIGN: A retrospective examination of testing and confirmed diagnoses time series was undertaken from 2011 to 2022. The analysis encompassed testing, positive tests, positivity rates, and diagnosis outcomes, including new HIV diagnoses, asymptomatic HIV diagnoses, and symptomatic HIV diagnoses. METHODS: We used Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) models to estimate the COVID-19 epidemic's impact on screening and diagnosis outcomes. We gauged the pandemic's effect between January 2020 and December 2022 by comparing modeled predicted results with actual outcomes. RESULTS: The advent of COVID-19 prompted a reduction of 50.7% in HIV testing, followed by a monthly escalation in testing afterward, estimated at 30.2 and 65.1% for 2021 and 2022, respectively. Although new diagnoses reported between 2020 and 2022 gradually increased to prepandemic levels, we estimate a gap of 13â207 new diagnoses, with symptomatic detections increasing more than proportionally in 2021 and 2022. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in missed HIV diagnoses and a rise in late HIV diagnoses. Implementing tailored post-COVID-19 strategies to accelerate timely HIV testing and prevention is needed to avert additional burdens and remain on track toward achieving the 2030 HIV management goals.
Assuntos
COVID-19 , Diagnóstico Tardio , Infecções por HIV , Teste de HIV , Humanos , COVID-19/diagnóstico , COVID-19/epidemiologia , COVID-19/prevenção & controle , Infecções por HIV/diagnóstico , Infecções por HIV/epidemiologia , Estudos Retrospectivos , México/epidemiologia , Teste de HIV/estatística & dados numéricos , Programas de Rastreamento/métodos , Pandemias , SARS-CoV-2 , Masculino , FemininoRESUMO
Infection with high-risk human papillomavirus (hrHPV) is well recognized as the main cause of cervical cancer. The recently developed Seegene Allplex HPV28 assay is a novel quantitative PCR (qPCR) assay designed to separately detect and quantify 28 distinct HPV genotypes in a fully automated and user-friendly manner. This study evaluated and compared the performance of this new assay with the performance of the Roche Cobas 4800, the Abbott RealTime high-risk HPV, and the Seegene Anyplex II HPV28 assays. A total of 114 mocked self-samples, i.e., semicervical samples collected by gynecologists using the Viba-Brush, were analyzed with all four HPV assays. Agreement in terms of detecting and genotyping HPV was assessed by the mean of the Cohen's kappa (κ) coefficient. Results of all four HPV assays agreed in 85.9% of the cases when using the Abbott RealTime manufacturer's recommended quantification cycle (Cq) cutoff for positivity (<32.00) and 91.2% when using an adapted range (32.00 to 36.00). An intercomparison of the included assays demonstrated an overall agreement ranging from 85.9 to 100.0% (κ = 0.42 to 1.00) when using the manufacturer's guidelines and 92.9 to 100.0% (κ = 0.60 to 1.00) with the adapted range. For all assays, highly significant, strongly positive Pearson correlations were shown between the Cq values of positive test results. This study thereby shows high concordance between results of the included HPV assays on mocked self-samples. Based on these findings, we imply that the novel Allplex HPV28 assay demonstrates a comparable performance to those of available qPCR HPV assays, potentially providing opportunities for the simplification and standardization of future large-scale testing. IMPORTANCE This study proves that the novel Allplex HPV28 assay has a good diagnostic performance in comparison with the well-known, validated, and frequently used Roche Cobas 4800, Abbott RealTime, and Anyplex II HPV28 assays. According to our experience, the novel Allplex HPV28 assay had a user-friendly and automated workflow with short hands-on time, had an open platform which facilitates the use of add-on assays, and provided quick and easy-to-interpret results. Together with its ability to detect and quantify 28 HPV genotypes, the Allplex HPV28 assay could therefore potentially provide opportunities for the simplification and standardization of future diagnostic testing programs.
Assuntos
Papillomavirus Humano , Infecções por Papillomavirus , Feminino , Humanos , Genótipo , Infecções por Papillomavirus/diagnóstico , Sensibilidade e Especificidade , Técnicas de Diagnóstico Molecular/métodos , Papillomaviridae/genéticaRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Cervical cancer screening is a cost-effective method responsible for reducing cervical cancer-related mortality by 70% in countries that have achieved high coverage through nationwide screening strategies. However, there are disparities in access to screening. In Ecuador, although cervical cancer is the second most common cancer in women, only 58.4% of women of reproductive age have ever been screened for cervical cancer. METHODOLOGY: A qualitative study was performed to understand the current barriers to screening and to identify strategies that could increase uptake in Azuay province, Ecuador. Seven focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted with under-screened women and health professionals (HPs). The FGDs were recorded and transcribed. Content analysis was done using the socio-ecological framework to categorize and analyse the data. RESULTS: Overall, 28 women and 27 HPs participated in the study. The two groups perceived different barriers to cervical cancer screening. The HPs considered barriers to be mainly at the policy level (lack of a structured screening plan; lack of health promotion) and the individual level (lack of risk perception; personal beliefs). The women identified barriers mainly at organizational level, such as long waiting times, lack of access to health centres, and inadequate patient-physician communication. Both groups mentioned facilitators at policy level, such as national campaigns promoting cervical cancer screening, and at community and individual level, including health literacy and women's empowerment. CONCLUSIONS: The women considered access to health services the main barrier to screening, while the HPs identified a lack of investment in screening programmes and cultural patterns at the community level as major obstacles. To take an integrated approach to cervical cancer prevention, the perspectives of both groups should be taken into account. Additionally, new strategies and technologies, such as self-administered human papillomavirus (HPV) testing and community participation, should be implemented to increase access to cervical cancer screening.
Assuntos
Detecção Precoce de Câncer , Neoplasias do Colo do Útero , Humanos , Feminino , Detecção Precoce de Câncer/métodos , Neoplasias do Colo do Útero/diagnóstico , Neoplasias do Colo do Útero/prevenção & controle , Equador , Aceitação pelo Paciente de Cuidados de Saúde , Programas de Rastreamento/métodosRESUMO
Cervical cancer screening (CCS) has been proven to reducing mortality of cervical cancer; yet migrant women show a lower participation in screening compared to non-migrants. This study explores the perspectives of healthcare workers and community workers on the factors influencing the CCS participation of migrant women living in Portugal. A qualitative study with online focus groups was conducted. Healthcare workers experienced in CCS and community workers working with migrant communities were purposively sampled. A semi-structured guide was used covering the participation of migrant women in CCS, barriers, and strategies to overcome them. Data were analyzed using content analysis. Participants considered that migrant women have low participation in CCS related to insufficient knowledge, low risk perception, and lack of interest on preventive care. Other barriers such as difficulties in accessing the healthcare services, relationship with healthcare workers, language, and cultural differences were highlighted. Promoting continuity of care, disseminating culturally tailored information, and use of self-sampling methods were suggested to improve participation in CCS. Inequalities in access to CCS among migrant women are mostly caused by information gaps and healthcare system-related barriers. Building a migrant-friendly healthcare system that creates opportunities for healthcare workers to establish relationships with their patients and delivering culturally and linguistically adapted information may contribute to overcoming those barriers and increasing the participation of migrant women in screening.
Assuntos
Migrantes , Neoplasias do Colo do Útero , Detecção Precoce de Câncer , Feminino , Acessibilidade aos Serviços de Saúde , Humanos , Programas de Rastreamento , Portugal , Pesquisa Qualitativa , Neoplasias do Colo do Útero/diagnóstico , Neoplasias do Colo do Útero/prevenção & controleRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Cervical cancer claims 311,000 lives annually, and 90% of these deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries. Cervical cancer is a highly preventable and treatable disease, if detected through screening at an early stage. Governments have a responsibility to screen women for precancerous cervical lesions. Yet, national screening programmes overlook many poor women and those marginalised in society. Under-screened women (called hard-to-reach) experience a higher incidence of cervical cancer and elevated mortality rates compared to regularly-screened women. Such inequalities deprive hard-to-reach women of the full enjoyment of their right to sexual and reproductive health, as laid out in Article 12 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and General Comment No. 22. DISCUSSION: This article argues first for tailored and innovative national cervical cancer screening programmes (NCSP) grounded in human rights law, to close the disparity between women who are afforded screening and those who are not. Second, acknowledging socioeconomic disparities requires governments to adopt and refine universal cancer control through NCSPs aligned with human rights duties, including to reach all eligible women. Commonly reported- and chronically under-addressed- screening disparities relate to the availability of sufficient health facilities and human resources (example from Kenya), the physical accessibility of health services for rural and remote populations (example from Brazil), and the accessibility of information sensitive to cultural, ethnic, and linguistic barriers (example from Ecuador). Third, governments can adopt new technologies to overcome individual and structural barriers to cervical cancer screening. National cervical cancer screening programmes should tailor screening methods to under-screened women, bearing in mind that eliminating systemic discrimination may require committing greater resources to traditionally neglected groups. CONCLUSION: Governments have human rights obligations to refocus screening policies and programmes on women who are disproportionately affected by discrimination that impairs their full enjoyment of the right to sexual and reproductive health. National cervical cancer screening programmes that keep the right to health principles (above) central will be able to expand screening among low-income, isolated and other marginalised populations, but also women in general, who, for a variety of reasons, do not visit healthcare providers for regular screenings.
Assuntos
Detecção Precoce de Câncer/economia , Programas de Rastreamento , Área Carente de Assistência Médica , Direito à Saúde , População Rural , Neoplasias do Colo do Útero/prevenção & controle , Adulto , Brasil , Feminino , Saúde Global , Política de Saúde , Humanos , Quênia , Pobreza , Saúde ReprodutivaRESUMO
BACKGROUND: All women are potentially at risk of developing cervical cancer at some point in their life, yet it is avoidable cause of death among women in Sub- Saharan Africa with a world incidence of 530,000 every year. It is the 4th commonest cancer affecting women worldwide with over 260,000 deaths reported in 2012. Low resource settings account for over 75% of the global cervical cancer burden. Uptake of HPV vaccination is limited in the developing world. WHO recommended that 2 doses of HPV vaccine could be given to young girls, based on studies in developed countries. However in Africa high rates of infections like malaria and worms can affect immune responses to vaccines, therefore three doses may still be necessary. The aim of this study was to identify barriers and facilitators associated with uptake of HPV vaccine. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted at Eldoret, Kenya involving 3000 girls aged 9 to 14 years from 40 schools. Parents/guardians gave consent through a questionnaire. RESULTS: Of all 3083 the school girls 93.8% had received childhood vaccines and 63.8% had a second HPV dose, and 39.1% had a third dose. Administration of second dose and HPV knowledge were both strong predictors of completion of the third dose. Distance to the hospital was a statistically significant risk factor for non-completion (P: 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Distance to vaccination centers requires a more innovative vaccine-delivery strategy and education of parents/guardians on cervical screening to increase attainment of the HPV vaccination.
Assuntos
Infecções por Papillomavirus/prevenção & controle , Vacinas contra Papillomavirus/administração & dosagem , Aceitação pelo Paciente de Cuidados de Saúde/estatística & dados numéricos , Neoplasias do Colo do Útero/prevenção & controle , Vacinação/métodos , Adolescente , Criança , Estudos Transversais , Doenças Endêmicas , Feminino , Conhecimentos, Atitudes e Prática em Saúde , Humanos , Esquemas de Imunização , Imunogenicidade da Vacina , Incidência , Quênia/epidemiologia , Malária/epidemiologia , Malária/imunologia , Infecções por Papillomavirus/imunologia , Infecções por Papillomavirus/virologia , Vacinas contra Papillomavirus/imunologia , Estudos Prospectivos , Instituições Acadêmicas/estatística & dados numéricos , Neoplasias do Colo do Útero/imunologia , Neoplasias do Colo do Útero/virologia , Vacinação/estatística & dados numéricosRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Well-organized screening and treatment programmes are effective to prevent Invasive Cervical Cancer (ICC) in LMICs. To achieve this, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends the involvement of existing health personnel in casu doctors, nurses, midwives in ICC prevention. A necessary precondition is that health personnel have appropriate knowledge about ICC. Therefore, to inform policy makers and training institutions in Burundi, we documented the knowledge and practices of general practitioners (GPs) at district hospital level towards ICC control. METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted from February to April, 2015 among all GPs working in government district hospitals. A structured questionnaire and a scoring system were used to assess knowledge and practices of GPs. RESULTS: The participation rate was 58.2%. Majority of GPs (76.3%) had appropriate knowledge (score > 70%) on cervical cancer disease; but some risk factors were less well known as smoking and the 2 most important oncogenic HPV. Only 8.4% of the participants had appropriate knowledge on ICC prevention: 55% of the participants were aware that HPV vaccination exists and 48.1% knew cryotherapy as a treatment method for CIN. Further, 15.3% was aware of VIA as a screening method. The majority of the participants (87%) never or rarely propose screening tests to their clients. Only 2 participants (1.5%) have already performed VIA/VILI. Wrong thoughts were also reported: 39.7% thought that CIN could be treated with radiotherapy; 3.1% thought that X-ray is a screening method. CONCLUSION: In this comprehensive assessment, we observed that Burundian GPs have a very low knowledge level about ICC prevention, screening and treatment. Suboptimal practices and wrong thoughts related to ICC screening and treatments have also been documented. We therefore recommend an adequate pre- and in-service training of GPs and most probably nurses on ICC control before setting up any public health intervention on ICC control.
Assuntos
Clínicos Gerais/psicologia , Conhecimentos, Atitudes e Prática em Saúde , Hospitais de Distrito , Neoplasias do Colo do Útero/prevenção & controle , Adulto , Burundi , Estudos Transversais , Feminino , Clínicos Gerais/estatística & dados numéricos , Humanos , MasculinoRESUMO
HIV diagnosis is an important step in the HIV cascade of prevention and treatment. However, men who have sex with men in low- and middle-income countries have limited access to HIV care services. We examined factors associated with prior HIV testing among men who have sex with men in western Kenya. We recruited 95 men who have sex with men aged 18 years and older, and who reported at least one sexual contact with a man in the past 6 months; however, this analysis is restricted to 89 participants who completed questions on HIV testing. Logistic regression model was used to determine factors associated with HIV testing in the past one year. Results indicate that 23 (26%) had not been tested in the past 12 months. Bivariate analyses demonstrated that condomless anal sex (odds ratio = 3.29, 95% confidence interval = 1.18-9.17) and comfort with healthcare providers (odds ratio = 1.15, 95 % CI = 1.05-1.26) were associated with higher odds of HIV testing in the past 12 months. Experiencing social stigma was associated with lower odds of HIV testing in the last 12 months (odds ratio = 0.91, 95% confidence interval = 0.84-0.94). In multivariable models, social stigma remained significantly associated with lower odds of HIV testing in the last 12 months odds ratio = 0.90, 95% confidence interval = 0.82-0.99) after inclusion of sexual risk and individual level variables. Development of men who have sex with men-sensitive HIV-testing services, addressing stigma, and training healthcare workers to provide culturally sensitive services may assist in effectively engaging men who have sex with men in the HIV treatment cascade.
Assuntos
Atitude Frente a Saúde , Infecções por HIV/diagnóstico , Homossexualidade Masculina/psicologia , Programas de Rastreamento/estatística & dados numéricos , Estigma Social , Adulto , Estudos Transversais , Infecções por HIV/prevenção & controle , Humanos , Quênia , Modelos Logísticos , Masculino , Razão de Chances , Comportamento Sexual/estatística & dados numéricosRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Many studies investigate HPV vaccine acceptability, applying health behavior theories to identify determinants; few include real uptake, the final variable of interest. This study investigated the utility of the Health Belief Model (HBM) in predicting HPV vaccine uptake in Kenya, focusing on the importance of promotion, probing willingness to vaccinate as precursor of uptake and exploring the added value of personal characteristics. METHODS: Longitudinal data were collected before and after a pilot HPV vaccination program in Eldoret among mothers of eligible girls (N = 255). Through pathway modeling, associations between vaccine uptake and the HBM constructs, willingness to vaccinate and adequate promotion were examined. Adequate promotion was defined as a personal evaluation of promotional information received. Finally, baseline cervical cancer awareness and socio-demographic variables were added to the model verifying their direct, mediating or moderating effects on the predictive value of the HBM. RESULTS: Perceiving yourself as adequately informed at follow-up was the strongest determinant of vaccine uptake. HBM constructs (susceptibility, self-efficacy and foreseeing father's refusal as barrier) only influenced willingness to vaccinate, which was not correlated with vaccination. Baseline awareness of cervical cancer predicted uptake. CONCLUSIONS: The association between adequate promotion and vaccination reveals the importance of triggers beyond personal control. Adoption of new health behaviors might be more determined by organizational variables, such as promotion, than by prior personal beliefs. Assessing users' and non-users' perspectives during and after implementing a vaccination program can help identifying stronger determinants of vaccination behavior.
Assuntos
Comportamentos Relacionados com a Saúde , Vacinas contra Papillomavirus/farmacologia , Aceitação pelo Paciente de Cuidados de Saúde/psicologia , Atitude Frente a Saúde , Estudos de Coortes , Feminino , Humanos , Quênia , Estudos Longitudinais , Papillomaviridae/imunologia , Papillomaviridae/patogenicidade , Vacinas contra Papillomavirus/uso terapêutico , Projetos Piloto , Neoplasias do Colo do Útero/prevenção & controleRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Cervical cancer strikes hard in low-resource regions yet primary prevention is still rare. Pilot projects have however showed that Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination programs can attain high uptake. Nevertheless, a study accompanying a vaccination demonstration project in Eldoret, Kenya, revealed less encouraging outcomes: uptake during an initial phase targeting ten schools (i.e., 4000 eligible girls), was low and more schools had to be included to reach the proposed number of 3000 vaccinated girls. The previously conducted study also revealed that many mothers had not received promotional information which had to reach them through schools: teachers were sensitized by health staff and asked to invite students and parents for HPV vaccination in the referral hospital. In this qualitative study, we investigate factors that hampered promotion and vaccine uptake. METHODS: Focus group discussions (FGD) with teachers (4) and fathers (3) were organized to assess awareness and attitudes towards the vaccination program, cervical cancer and the HPV vaccine, as well as a FGD with the vaccinators (1) to discuss the course of the program and potential improvements. Discussions were recorded, transcribed, translated, and analyzed using thematic analysis In addition, a meeting with the program coordinator was set up to reflect upon the program and the results of the FGD, and to formulate recommendations for future programs. RESULTS: Cervical cancer was poorly understood by fathers and teachers and mainly linked with nonconforming sexual behavior and modern lifestyle. Few had heard about the vaccination opportunity: feeling uncomfortable to discuss cervical cancer and not considering it as important had hampered information flow. Teachers requested more support from health staff to address unexpected questions from parents. Non-uptake was also the result of distrust towards new vaccines. Schools entering the program in the second phase reacted faster: they were better organized, e.g., in terms of transport, while the community was already more familiarized with the vaccine. CONCLUSIONS: Close collaboration between teachers and health staff is crucial to obtain high HPV vaccine uptake among schoolgirls. Promotional messages should, besides providing correct information, tackle misbeliefs, address stigma and stress the priority to vaccinate all, regardless of lifestyle. Monitoring activities and continuous communication could allow for detection of rumors and unequal uptake in the community.
Assuntos
Conhecimentos, Atitudes e Prática em Saúde , Programas de Imunização , Papillomaviridae , Infecções por Papillomavirus/prevenção & controle , Aceitação pelo Paciente de Cuidados de Saúde , Neoplasias do Colo do Útero/prevenção & controle , Vacinação , Adolescente , Adulto , Criança , Comunicação , Docentes , Pai , Feminino , Grupos Focais , Humanos , Quênia , Masculino , Infecções por Papillomavirus/virologia , Vacinas contra Papillomavirus , Pesquisa Qualitativa , Instituições Acadêmicas , Comportamento Sexual , Neoplasias do Colo do Útero/virologiaRESUMO
The development of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines provides new opportunities in the fight against cervical cancer. Many acceptability studies have revealed high interest in these vaccines, but acceptance is only a precursor of behavior, and many factors, at personal, community and provider level, may inhibit the translation of willingness to vaccinate into actual uptake. Through a longitudinal study in Eldoret, Kenya, HPV vaccine acceptability was measured before a vaccination program (nâ=â287) and vaccine uptake, as reported by mothers, once the program was finished (nâ=â256). In between baseline and follow-up, a pilot HPV vaccination program was implemented via the GARDASIL Access Program, in which parents could have their daughter vaccinated for free at the referral hospital. The program was promoted at schools: Health staff informed teachers who were then asked to inform students and parents. Even though baseline acceptance was very high (88.1%), only 31.1% of the women reported at follow-up that their daughter had been vaccinated. The vaccine was declined by 17.7%, while another 51.2% had wanted the vaccination but were obstructed by practical barriers. Being well-informed about the program and baseline awareness of cervical cancer were independently associated with vaccine uptake, while baseline acceptance was correlated in bivariate analysis. Side effects were of great concern, even among those whose daughter was vaccinated. Possible partner disapproval lowered acceptance at baseline, and women indeed reported at follow-up that they had encountered his opposition. In Kenya, women prove to be very willing to have their daughter vaccinated against cervical cancer. However, in this study, uptake was more determined by program awareness than by HPV vaccine acceptance. School-based vaccination might improve coverage since it reduces operational problems for parents. In addition, future HPV vaccination campaigns should address concerns about side effects, targeting men and women, given both their involvement in HPV vaccination decision-making.
Assuntos
Infecções por Papillomavirus/imunologia , Infecções por Papillomavirus/prevenção & controle , Vacinas contra Papillomavirus/imunologia , Aceitação pelo Paciente de Cuidados de Saúde/psicologia , Adolescente , Criança , Tomada de Decisões , Feminino , Conhecimentos, Atitudes e Prática em Saúde , Humanos , Programas de Imunização/métodos , Quênia , Estudos Longitudinais , Masculino , Pais , Instituições Acadêmicas , Estudantes , Inquéritos e Questionários , Neoplasias do Colo do Útero/imunologia , Neoplasias do Colo do Útero/prevenção & controle , Vacinação/métodosRESUMO
Oportunidades, Mexico's most important antipoverty program, currently with 5 million enrolled households in all regions of the country, has been shown to significantly contribute to improving the nutrition, health, and education of the poor. Because the program has used different enrollment strategies in rural and urban areas and has both obligatory (e.g., health and nutrition education) and nonobligatory components (e.g., nutrition supplements for children younger than 2 y of age), it provides an excellent opportunity to study program enrollment and utilization of different program components. In urban areas enrollment was more complex, and hence enrollment was much lower then in rural areas where the process was quasiautomatic, and nearly all eligible households enrolled. Enrollment in urban areas was not associated with having a child younger than 2 y of age. Utilization was notably higher with the obligatory than with the nonobligatory program components, illustrated by the inadequate consumption of the nutrition program's supplement as compared with near-universal compliance with well-baby visits. Innovative approaches, some of which are currently being tested, are needed to further increase the program's impact.