Concordance in HPV Detection Between Self-Collected and Health Provider-Collected Cervicovaginal Samples Using careHPV in Tanzanian Women.

PURPOSE: Cervical cancer screening is one of the strategies to prevent the disease among women at risk. Human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA testing is increasingly used as the cervical cancer screening method because of its high sensitivity. Self-collection of cervical specimens has the potential to improve participation. However, there is only limited information on comparison between self-collected and provider-collected samples with regard to detection of high-risk HPV using the careHPV method. The study aimed to compare HPV detection by careHPV in self-collected and provider-collected cervical samples and to assess the acceptability of self-collection techniques. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Women attending cervical cancer screening clinics at Ocean Road Cancer Institute, Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre or Mawenzi Hospital in Tanzania were included in the study. They underwent a face-to-face interview, HIV testing, and collected a self-sample using Evalyn Brush. Subsequently, they had a cervical sample taken by a health provider. Both samples were tested for high-risk HPV DNA using careHPV. RESULTS: Overall, 464 women participated in the study. The high-risk HPV prevalence was 19.0% (95% CI, 15.6 to 22.9) in the health provider samples, but lower (13.8%; 95% CI, 10.9 to 17.3) in the self-collected samples. There was a good overall agreement 90.5% (95% CI, 87.5 to 93.0) and concordance (κ = 0.66; 95% CI, 0.56 to 0.75) between the two sets of samples. Sensitivity and specificity were 61.4% (95% CI, 50.4 to 71.6) and 97.3% (95% CI, 95.2 to 98.7), respectively, varying with age. Most women preferred self-collection (79.8%). CONCLUSION: Overall, self-sampling seems to be a reliable alternative to health-provider collection and is acceptable to the majority of women. However, instructions on proper procedures for sample collection to the women are important.

Factors related to completion of referral among women with suspected cervical cancer and dysplasia in Tanzania.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate completion of referral among women with suspected cervical cancer in Tanzania. METHODS: Retrospective cohort study of 196 women referred from two healthcare clinics to Ocean Road Cancer Institute, Dar es Salaam, between March 2016 and June 2018. Women with precancerous lesions or suspected cancer were interviewed about their knowledge and perception of cervical cancer and referred for follow-up. RESULTS: Most participants were unable to name symptoms (55.1%), prevention methods (88.3%), or treatments (59.0%), although 79.1% rated the disease as severe. Women who came for routine early detection were less likely to complete referral than those who did not (odds ratio [OR], 0.18; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.05-0.70). Women who knew someone who died from cervical cancer were 5.40 times more likely to complete referral than those who did not. Knowing someone with cervical cancer was a predictor of referral completion in three multivariate models: OR, 5.62 (95% CI, 2.20-14.38); 4.34 (1.64-11.47); and 4.61 (1.72-12.36). Having severe symptoms was a predictor of non-completion in two models: 0.30 (0.12-0.75) and 0.35 (0.14-0.87). CONCLUSION: Patient-directed interventions should include education involving survivors of cancer and dysplasia, whereas system-directed interventions should utilize reminders to increase referral completion.

Comprehensive Cervical Cancer Prevention in Tanzania (CONCEPT) study: Cohort profile.

PURPOSE: Cervical cancer is a major cause of death among women in Eastern Africa, and the distribution of human papillomavirus (HPV) according to HIV status is inadequately characterised in this region. In order to guide future cervical cancer preventive strategies that involve HPV testing, the Comprehensive Cervical Cancer Prevention in Tanzania (CONCEPT) study was established in 2015. The CONCEPT cohort aims to investigate the natural history of HPV and determine acquisition and persistence patterns of high-risk (HR) HPV among HIV-positive and HIV-negative women. Further, the influence of lifestyle and sexual/reproductive factors will be investigated. The main objective of this article is to describe how the CONCEPT cohort was established. PARTICIPANTS: Women aged 25-60 years were enrolled from cervical cancer screening clinics in Dar-es-Salaam and Moshi, Tanzania. Data were collected at baseline, at 14 months (first follow-up) and at 28 months (second follow-up). Biological samples included two cervical swabs for careHPV DNA testing, cytology, Hybrid Capture 2, genotyping and blood samples for HIV. Visual inspection with acetic acid was performed, and sociodemographic, lifestyle and sexual/reproductive characteristics were collected through a standardised questionnaire. FINDINGS TO DATE: 4043 women were included in the cohort from August 2015 to May 2017. At baseline, 696 (17.1%) women were HR HPV positive, and among these, 31.6% were HIV positive; 139 women (3.4%) had high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions. 3074 women (81%) attended the first follow-up. The majority attended after receiving a phone call reminder (35%) or from home via self-samples (41%). At first follow-up, 438 (14.4%) were HR HPV positive and 30.4% of these were HIV positive. FUTURE PLANS: A second follow-up is underway (17 December 2018-October 2020). We plan to integrate our data with a previous cross-sectional HPV study from Tanzania to increase the power of our findings. Researchers interested in collaborating are welcomed, either by extracting data or jointly requesting further investigation from the cohort.

Competing needs: a qualitative study of cervical cancer screening attendance among HPV-positive women in Tanzania.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to understand causes of attendance and non-attendance to a follow-up cervical cancer screening among human papillomavirus (HPV)-positive women. DESIGN: Semistructured, individual interviews with HPV-positive women and cervical cancer screening nurses. The interview guide and initial data analysis were guided by existing health behaviour theories. However, as the theories limited the potential of the data material, a grounded theory framework guided the final data analysis. SETTING: Interviews were conducted in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, at Ocean Road Cancer Institute (ORCI) or in the homes of screening clients. PARTICIPANTS: 15 interviews were conducted with women who had tested HPV-positive during a patient-initiated screening and been appointed for a follow-up screening 14 months later. Nine women had not attended the follow-up appointment, four had delayed attendance and two had attended on the scheduled date. Further, individual interviews were conducted with the two nurses working at ORCI's screening clinic. RESULTS: Perceived benefits for attending a patient-initiated screening include treatment of gynaecological symptoms and prevention of disease. The key perceived benefit of a health provider-initiated follow-up screening is prevention, which is challenged by the circumstance that it is seen by women as having merely potential benefit and therefore can be postponed when competing needs are present. Perceived challenges for screening attendance include emotional costs, in the form of fear of the disease, fear of the gynaecological examination as well as direct and indirect economic costs, such as transportation costs, lost income and waiting time. CONCLUSION: Cervical cancer screening is one among many tasks that women living in a low-income setting must attend to. Since health provider-initiated follow-up screening is seen as having only potential benefit, attendance can be postponed when competing needs exist. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT02509702.

Barriers and Facilitators to Cervical Cancer Screening, Diagnosis, Follow-Up Care and Treatment: Perspectives of Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Positive Women and Health Care Practitioners in Tanzania.

BACKGROUND: This study was conducted to identify barriers and facilitators to cervical cancer screening, diagnosis, follow-up care, and treatment among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected women and clinicians and to explore the acceptability of patient navigators in Tanzania. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In 2012, we conducted four focus groups, two with HIV-positive women and two with clinicians who perform cervical cancer screening, diagnosis, follow-up care, and treatment. Transcriptions were analyzed using thematic analysis. RESULTS: Findings from the patient focus groups indicate the prevalence of fear and stigma surrounding cervical cancer as well as a lack of information and access to screening and treatment. The clinician focus groups identified numerous barriers to screening, diagnosis, follow-up care, and treatment. Participants in both types of groups agreed that a patient navigation program would be an effective way to help women navigate across the cancer continuum of care including screening, diagnosis, follow-up care, and treatment. CONCLUSION: Given the fear, stigma, misinformation, and lack of resources surrounding cervical cancer, it is not surprising that patient navigation would be welcomed by patients and providers. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: This article identifies specific barriers to cervical cancer screening and treatment from the perspectives of both clinicians and patients in Tanzania and describes the acceptability of the concept of patient navigation.

Thyroid Cancer and Iodine Deficiency Status: A 10-Year Review at a Single Cancer Center in Tanzania.

OBJECTIVE: To highlight the magnitude and distribution of thyroid cancer at the largest cancer center in Tanzania and to correlate patient region of residence with regions of dietary iodine adequacy and deficiency in the country. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective cross-sectional chart review to characterize patients with thyroid cancer and regions of residence. SETTING: Ocean Road Cancer Institute (ORCI), the largest cancer center in Tanzania. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Subjects had histologically confirmed thyroid cancer and no history of cancer treatment. Between January 2006 and April 2016, the cases of 139 consecutive patients with thyroid cancer at ORCI were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were grouped into those from iodine-adequate and iodine-deficient regions, based on the Tanzania demographic and health survey. RESULTS: Patients' median age was 47 years (range, 17-73 years), and the male:female ratio was 1:5. The number of people with thyroid cancer seen at ORCI increased steadily during the study period, with no significant difference between papillary (46%) and follicular (45%) diagnoses. Nonpapillary cancers occurred more frequently among males and patients ≥45 years of age, but these did not reach statistical significance. Seventy-five percent of all thyroid cancers were from areas of iodine deficiency, and this was similar in papillary and follicular cancer subtypes. CONCLUSION: The incidence of differentiated thyroid cancer is increasing at the largest cancer center in Tanzania, whereby papillary and follicular subtypes were significantly higher in regions with long-standing dietary iodine deficiency.

Text messages to increase attendance to follow-up cervical cancer screening appointments among HPV-positive Tanzanian women (Connected2Care): study protocol for a randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Cervical cancer is a major health concern in Tanzania, caused by poor attendance for cervical cancer screening and follow-up of women at risk. Mobile telephone health interventions are proven effective tools to improve health behaviour in African countries. So far, no knowledge exists on how such interventions may perform in relation to cervical cancer screening in low-income settings. This study aims to assess the degree to which a Short Message Service (SMS) intervention can increase attendance at appointments among women who have tested positive for high-risk (HR) Human Papillomavirus (HPV) during cervical cancer screening. METHODS/DESIGN: Connected2Care is a non-blinded, multicentre, parallel-group, randomised controlled trial. Tanzanian women testing positive to HR HPV at inclusion are randomly assigned in an allocation ratio of 1:1 to the SMS intervention or the control group (standard care). In a period of 10 months, the intervention group will receive 15 one-directional health educative text messages and SMS reminders for their appointment. The total sample size will be 700 with 350 women in each study arm. Primary outcome is attendance rate for follow-up. Secondary objectives are cost-effectiveness, measured through incremental ratios, and knowledge of cervical cancer by a 16-item true/false scale questionnaire at baseline and follow-up. Barriers against implementing the intervention will be assessed in a mixed-methods sub-population study. DISCUSSION: This study may provide information on the potential effects, costs, and barriers in implementing an SMS intervention targeting a group of women who are followed up after testing positive for HR HPV and are, therefore, at increased risk of developing cervical cancer. This can guide decision-makers on the effective use of mobile technology in a low-income setting. Trial status: recruiting. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, ID: NCT02509702 . Registered on 15 June 2015.

Acceptance of peer navigators to reduce barriers to cervical cancer screening and treatment among women with HIV infection in Tanzania.

OBJECTIVE: To identify barriers to cervical cancer screening and treatment, and determine acceptance toward peer navigators (PNs) to reduce barriers. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among women with HIV infection aged 19 years or older attending HIV clinics in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, between May and August 2012. Data for sociodemographic characteristics, barriers, knowledge and attitude toward cervical cancer screening and treatment, and PNs were collected by questionnaire. RESULTS: Among 399 participants, only 36 (9.0%) reported previous cervical cancer screening. A higher percentage of screened than unscreened women reported being told about screening by someone at the clinic (25/36 [69.4%] vs 132/363 [36.4%]; P=0.002), knew that screening was free (30/36 [83.3%] vs 161/363 [44.4%]; P<0.001), and obtained "good" cervical screening attitude scores (17/36 [47.2%] vs 66/363 [18.2%]; P=0.001). Most women (382/399 [95.7%]) did not know about PNs. When told about PNs, 388 (97.5%) of 398 women said they would like assistance with explanation of medical terms, and 352 (88.2%) of 399 said they would like PNs to accompany them for cervical evaluation and/or treatment. CONCLUSION: Use of PNs was highly acceptable and represents a novel approach to addressing barriers to cervical cancer screening and treatment.

Performance of visual inspection with acetic acid and human papillomavirus testing for detection of high-grade cervical lesions in HIV positive and HIV negative Tanzanian women.

The aim of this cross sectional study was to assess type distribution of human papillomavirus (HPV) among HIV positive and HIV negative women who underwent cervical cancer screening, and to examine the ability of visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA), the standard detection method in Tanzania, and HPV-testing to detect cytologically diagnosed high grade lesions or cancer (HSIL+). Women from different areas in Tanzania were invited by public announcement to cervical cancer screening organized by Ocean Road Cancer Institute (Dar-es-Salaam). A total of 3,767 women were enrolled. Women underwent gynecological examination with collection of cervical cells for conventional cytological examination, and swab for HPV-DNA detection (Hybrid-Capture2) and genotyping (LiPAv2 test). Subsequently VIA was performed. The participants were also tested for HIV. HPV16, HPV52 and HPV18 were the three most common HR HPV types among women with HSIL+ cytology with prevalences of 42.9, 35.7 and 28.6%, respectively, in HIV positive women which was higher than among HIV negative women (30.2, 21.9 and 16.7%). A total of 4.5% of the women were VIA positive, and VIA showed a low sensitivity compared to HPV-testing for detection of HSIL+. The sensitivity of VIA varied with staff VIA experience, HIV status and age. Vaccines including HPV16, HPV52 and HPV18 will likely reduce the number of HSIL+ cases independently of HIV status. The frequency of HSIL+ was high among HIV positive women, emphasizing the importance of establishing a screening program which also reaches HIV positive women. Our results highlight the importance of continuous training of staff performing VIA, and also point to the need for other screening methods such as HPV-testing at low cost.

Reducing therapeutic injection overuse through patients-prescribers interaction group discussions in Kinondoni District, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

Inappropriately prescription of injections has been reported in developing and developed countries. Previous studies in Tanzania showed that over 70% of patients attending out- patient clinics at private dispensaries received at least one injection per consultation, a value higher than WHO recommended target of 10%. This is of concern considering the likelihood of adverse effects of possible use of unsafe syringes to transmit HIV, hepatitis B and C, poliomyelitis and added economic impact on the patient and the healthcare system. This study aimed to investigate the impact of Interaction Group Discussion on behavioural change on injection prescribing practices in ten selected public dispensaries in Kinondoni District, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Patient records of injection prescriptions were obtained covering the period three months prior to the study from 5 randomly selected control and 5 randomly selected intervention facilities. At each health facility IGDs were conducted for one month on mothers and prescribers followed by a survey 3 months after IGD to determine the impact of IGDs. Chi-square statistical calculations were made to compare data on the percent of prescriptions with an injection prescribed and in those conforming to national standard treatment guidelines (STG) between baseline and 3 months follow up. Results showed no significant difference between the percentage of prescriptions with an injection prescribed at baseline and 3 months follow-up in public dispensaries (P>0.05, X2 test). Prescribed injections that complied with STG was low at baseline and did not significantly improve 3 months after (P>0.05, X2 test). Comprehensive studies and sensitization of compliance to STG by prescribers are recommended.