Article Text
Abstract
Introduction WHO recommends a framework shift from screening with cytology and visual inspection methods, to detection of HPV DNA as the primary screening test and, endorses vaginal self-sampling as method of collection. This study was planned with the objective to determine the prevalence of HR-HPV 16/31 & 18/45 in vaginal samples using a real-time micro-PCR analyzer and to study the acceptability of self-sampling.
Methods Micro-PCR test (Truenat®) was used on vaginal samples collected by self-sampling for detection of HR-HPV infections 16/31,18/45. A sample size of 975 women was calculated with 95% confidence, 20% relative precision and adjusting for 10% non-responder rate. Samples were collected in the community during Covid-19 pandemic. Prevalence of HR-HPV 16,18 was determined separately by RT-PCR using HPV-Q Real-time PCR kit (genes2me).
Results Of 975 eligible women screened, prevalence was 4.6% with 45 women testing positive for HR-HPV (16/31,18/45). Of these 60% were confirmed positive for HR-HPV 16 & 18 by RT-PCR. Of the 45 positive women, 22(48.9%) underwent colposcopy and treated accordingly while the rest declined treatment. On studying acceptability of self-sampling, 943(96.72%) participants were ‘very satisfied’, 918(94.15%) found it to be ‘very comfortable’ and 863(88.51%) stated that they will strongly recommend it to other eligible women.
Conclusion/Implications HR-HPV testing with limited genotyping showed a prevalence of 4.6%, 60% of these were HPV 16/18 positive. Point of care testing was feasible in the community and self-sampling was acceptable. Roughly 50% declined treatment, and reasons need to be looked into.