Cervical screening using HPV-DNA cytology in a low-income setting: an audit within a socio-economically deprived rural community in the Philippines

# Background Cervical cancer (CC) is the second leading cause of cancer among women in the Philippines, mainly caused by a persistent human papillomavirus infection (HPV). We aimed to determine the prevalence of HPV and compare screening methods within a socio-economically deprived rural community...

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Main Authors: Elena Harty, Samantha Carr, Zelda Doyle, Charlotte Hespe
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Inishmore Laser Scientific Publishing Ltd 2023-08-01
Series:Journal of Global Health Reports
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.29392/001c.83912
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author Elena Harty
Samantha Carr
Zelda Doyle
Charlotte Hespe
author_facet Elena Harty
Samantha Carr
Zelda Doyle
Charlotte Hespe
author_sort Elena Harty
collection DOAJ
description # Background Cervical cancer (CC) is the second leading cause of cancer among women in the Philippines, mainly caused by a persistent human papillomavirus infection (HPV). We aimed to determine the prevalence of HPV and compare screening methods within a socio-economically deprived rural community in the Philippines. # Methods We conducted a retrospective audit of the medical records of 872 women from the free Women's clinic in a regional Philippines community over the period, 2013-2019. All participants were screened for CC using the VIA/VILI method, with only 284 women tested for HPV using the HPV-polymerase chain reaction (HPV-PCR) method. For the 284, we compared their HPV-PCR and VIA/VILI results. Data was de-identified and descriptively analysed. # Results Thirteen different HPV subtypes, all oncogenic, exist in the community. HPV was detected in 32 (11%) of the 284 women tested. Of note, 28 patients who had an oncogenic HPV infection had a normal VIA/VILI inspection result. The bivalent vaccine protects only 6% of the HPV-positive cases in the clinic. # Conclusions This study suggests HPV-PCR testing is superior at detecting HPV before cervical changes occur. The different oncogenic HPV strains reflect the low coverage of the bivalent HPV vaccination in the community -- a key area for practice and policy reforms. Further studies on the prevalence of oncogenic HPV strains will be vital in designing suitable preventive care programs for CC.
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spelling doaj-art-7d871802dedf45d5a47744fa1b34fa062025-08-20T03:45:24ZengInishmore Laser Scientific Publishing LtdJournal of Global Health Reports2399-16232023-08-01710.29392/001c.83912Cervical screening using HPV-DNA cytology in a low-income setting: an audit within a socio-economically deprived rural community in the PhilippinesElena HartySamantha CarrZelda DoyleCharlotte Hespe# Background Cervical cancer (CC) is the second leading cause of cancer among women in the Philippines, mainly caused by a persistent human papillomavirus infection (HPV). We aimed to determine the prevalence of HPV and compare screening methods within a socio-economically deprived rural community in the Philippines. # Methods We conducted a retrospective audit of the medical records of 872 women from the free Women's clinic in a regional Philippines community over the period, 2013-2019. All participants were screened for CC using the VIA/VILI method, with only 284 women tested for HPV using the HPV-polymerase chain reaction (HPV-PCR) method. For the 284, we compared their HPV-PCR and VIA/VILI results. Data was de-identified and descriptively analysed. # Results Thirteen different HPV subtypes, all oncogenic, exist in the community. HPV was detected in 32 (11%) of the 284 women tested. Of note, 28 patients who had an oncogenic HPV infection had a normal VIA/VILI inspection result. The bivalent vaccine protects only 6% of the HPV-positive cases in the clinic. # Conclusions This study suggests HPV-PCR testing is superior at detecting HPV before cervical changes occur. The different oncogenic HPV strains reflect the low coverage of the bivalent HPV vaccination in the community -- a key area for practice and policy reforms. Further studies on the prevalence of oncogenic HPV strains will be vital in designing suitable preventive care programs for CC.https://doi.org/10.29392/001c.83912
spellingShingle Elena Harty
Samantha Carr
Zelda Doyle
Charlotte Hespe
Cervical screening using HPV-DNA cytology in a low-income setting: an audit within a socio-economically deprived rural community in the Philippines
Journal of Global Health Reports
title Cervical screening using HPV-DNA cytology in a low-income setting: an audit within a socio-economically deprived rural community in the Philippines
title_full Cervical screening using HPV-DNA cytology in a low-income setting: an audit within a socio-economically deprived rural community in the Philippines
title_fullStr Cervical screening using HPV-DNA cytology in a low-income setting: an audit within a socio-economically deprived rural community in the Philippines
title_full_unstemmed Cervical screening using HPV-DNA cytology in a low-income setting: an audit within a socio-economically deprived rural community in the Philippines
title_short Cervical screening using HPV-DNA cytology in a low-income setting: an audit within a socio-economically deprived rural community in the Philippines
title_sort cervical screening using hpv dna cytology in a low income setting an audit within a socio economically deprived rural community in the philippines
url https://doi.org/10.29392/001c.83912
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