A fight to end high rates of cervical cancer in rural Bolivia
OA Version
Citation
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Cervical cancer is one of the most common forms of gynecologic malignancies worldwide with increased incidence in lower income countries. Bolivia, a lower-income country, experiences high rates of morbidity and mortality related to cervical cancer. The increased incidence is a multifactorial issue that includes low cervical cancer literacy, barriers to healthcare access, and poor follow-up rates.
LITERATURE REVIEW FINDINGS: The current research finds that Bolivia's fragmented healthcare system has significantly influenced the country’s high cervical cancer burden. Women often receive inadequate sexual and reproductive health services that has led to a higher incidence of preventable morbidity and mortality. Previous research, however, has shown that the implementation of HPV self-screening and use of point of care testing are effective interventions in rural areas of Bolivia to increase screening. In addition, studies have shown that vaccination of school aged children utilizing a school-based model is another promising intervention in hopes of lowering the country’s burden of disease. Lack of cervical health knowledge in rural areas of Bolivia is another finding. Previous research has proposed that community education and optimization of cervical cancer knowledge can have a great impact on screening.
METHODS: The study proposes to conduct an interventional study. The study will initially seek to implement an education intervention to improve the knowledge and understanding of cervical health for school aged and adult women in a single school district of rural Cochabamba, Bolivia. Phase I and II of the study will then aim to implement a vaccination campaign and an HPV self-screening program with point of care testing in the same school district.
CONCLUSION: This study will seek to implement an HPV- self screening program and a vaccination campaign in rural Cochabamba, Bolivia through a multidisciplinary approach which involves vaccination, screening, and community education. Limitations of the proposed study includes lack of generalizability, time constraints, and financial constraints.
SIGNIFICANCE: Cervical cancer is highly preventable through adequate screening and prophylaxis with vaccination. The goals of the study will seek to implement affordable and easily accessible screening methods and vaccination for a population in rural Bolivia to ultimately improve screening rates and follow up care. Efforts to increase screening in this population can lead to decreased rates of mortality and morbidity from cervical cancer in vulnerable, resource limited countries.