Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a sexually transmitted infection that causes cervical cancer. HPV vaccination and cervical screening are the best ways to prevent HPV and cervical cancer. Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is a virus that weakens the immune system. HPV vaccination and cervical screening are especially important for women living with HIV (WLWH), who have higher rates of HPV infection and are at greater risk for developing cervical cancer.
The primary goal of the NOVA-HIV study is to see if giving 2 doses of the nonavalent HPV vaccine provides as much protection as 3 doses. The objective of my graduate research within this study is to determine WLWH’s thoughts, feelings, and preferences in using self-collected swabs to test for HPV. Self-collected HPV tests may provide WLWH with an alternative and more acceptable method of screening for HPV.
This project will provide important information about the acceptability of new HPV testing procedures with the goal of making healthcare practices more comfortable and accessible for WLWH.
End of Award Update – February 2025
Results
My objective, as part of the NOVA-HIV study, was to determine the attitudes, perceptions, and acceptability of HPV self-sampling in women and people with a cervix living with HIV (WLWH) and to identify potential misconceptions and knowledge gaps surrounding this new screening methodology. At this stage in participant recruitment, we have collected questionnaires from 99 participants. In our preliminary analysis, HPV self-sampling is a highly acceptable screening method for this population and is viewed as safe and effective. However, we have also identified that many participants feel concern and uncertainty about the implications and next steps of receiving a positive HPV test result. These findings are crucial in creating strategies to make HPV self-sampling more equitable and accessible for WLWH.
Impact
As HPV DNA testing has been newly introduced within our cervical cancer screening program in BC, understanding its acceptability and implications for all populations, especially those most affected by HPV, is critical. WLWH are one such population. We have presented our preliminary acceptability data from this population and have outlined misconceptions and knowledge gaps surrounding HPV self-sampling to clinic staff involved in the care of WLWH, so they can better counsel and inform their patients about HPV-self sampling. These findings have been presented to clinician scientists, patient partners, and researchers at the Oak Tree Clinic research day at BC Women’s Hospital (a clinic providing specialized, interprofessional care to women and their families with HIV/AIDS in British Columbia).
Potential Influence
As of January 2024, HPV DNA testing and self-sampling have become the primary method of screening for cervical cancer in British Columbia; however, WLWH’s attitudes towards HPV self-sampling have not previously been investigated, despite the higher rates of cervical cancer and decreased access to cervical cancer screening within this population. Within BC, and as HPV self-sampling is implemented in other provinces/territories in Canada, it is especially important to consider WLWH’s acceptance of HPV self-collection as a method of screening for cervical cancer and to use this information to guide the development of specific resources to support and inform the community of WLWH about HPV self-sampling. We are currently planning an upcoming KT event to engage and inform the WLWH community of our exciting study findings.
Next Steps
We have submitted abstracts to share our findings at a national conference aimed at improving the health and well-being of people living with HIV in Canada, as well as a national meeting of women’s health care professionals. We also plan to host a dynamic community event for WLWH in Vancouver to address the knowledge gaps and misconceptions, and provide valuable educational resources based on these new and exciting findings.