Evaluation of an Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Based Screening Algorithm for Low and Middle Income Countries, by Self-sampling in Ethiopia

The overall purpose of the project is to evaluate an algorithm for an HPV self-sampling based cervical cancer screening algorithm in a mid-size town in Ethiopia that could be applicable for nationwide implementation in low and middle-income countries (LMIC).

Specific aims are the following:

• To evaluate the algorithm using Visual Inspection with Acetic acid (VIA) and VIA together with Lugol's Iodine (VILI) as triage and to use HPV self-sample to follow up those treated and those with persisting HPV.
• To evaluate the prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae and other STIs in the cohort.
• To determine immune response profiles in high-risk HPV-positive women who cleared, persisted, or developed Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia 2/3 (CIN).
• To assess how specific cervicovaginal microbiota compositions are associated with HPV infection, cervical dysplasia, and cancer