Article Text
Abstract
Introduction/Background The use of innovative cervical cancer screening approaches that would reach a larger number of women is a promising approach to eradicating cervical cancer. One such approach is using self-collection kits, with which a woman can collect cells from the cervix without needing to visit a gynecologist. The aim is to present the first results from the PRESCRIP-TEC (PREvention and SCReening Innovation Project Toward Elimination of Cervical Cancer) project. The project aims to test an innovative screening program based on a self-sampling test in disadvantaged communities of women who do not participate in regular gynecological examinations and to determine hr-HPV prevalence.
Methodology Women from marginalized regions of Slovakia as well as women working in factory production between the ages of 19 and 64 were approached for participation in the study. Cervical swabs were performed by women using a FLOQSwab®552C swab (Copan Diagnostics). The presence of HPV infection was determined using the fully automated Cobas® 4800 system. The system allows the detection of HPV 16 and HPV 18 separately and the detection of 12 other high-risk types together.
Results As of September 15, 2023, 3,552 samples were collected. Of these, 3402 samples were tested for the presence of hr-HPV and met the criteria for inclusion in the study. The presence of viral infection was confirmed in 6,9% (n=236) of all tested samples. The most frequently detected infection among all positive results was caused by hr-HPV belonging to the group other type of hr-HPV in 69,1% (n=163). The highest prevalence of hr-HPV positive women was in the age group 25–29 years (7,8%) and the lowest in the age group 45–49 years (4,1%).
Conclusion The presence of hr-HPV was detected in 6,9% (n=236) of tested women from disadvantaged communities and marginalized regions, while another type of hr-HPV was most represented in 69,1% (n=163).
Disclosures None to delcare.