With the support from The U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) through USAID Zimbabwe, the TASQC Program collaborated with MOHCC and CHAI in rolling out the Primary HPV Screening in Chitungwiza District targeted toincrease demand and access to VIAC screening among women living with HIV (WLHIV)between the ages of 25-49. Cervical cancer screening for WLHIV has been integrated into routine HIV treatment services within the TASQC program
Primary HPV Screening (Screen, Triage and Treat) begun at high volume sites in Chitungwiza and has been scaling up to all women receiving ART both at facility level and in the community through trained health workers (Community Outreach Agents, Community Outreach Agent Coordinators and Community Health Services Nurses). The fast-growing Primary HPV DNA screening initiative has seen many women living with HIV (WLHIV)appreciate the dependable, private, convenient, and user-friendly HPV DNA kit. These kits have become widely appreciated by women living with HIV in Chitungwiza because of their privacy and comfortability in use.
Vivian* (Pseudo name) a 36-year-old female from Zengeza was among the pilot populations distributed with HPV DNA kits through community. She is commercial sex worker and a am mother of two children. Vivian expressed her joy when she spoke of the HPV DNA testing kit. She stays four kilometers away from the nearest facility which has been one of her major concerns in going for VIAC The introduction of the kits has seen her receive services at home. The privacy the kit gives as it is self-administered has immensely gave her the confidence to partake the test over and over if required; expressed the middle-aged lady.
“With the trained Community Outreach Agents who have beenprovidingaccurate sensitization, education and awareness about cervical cancer and the necessity of screening and treatment, it has been easy to comprehend both a negative and a reactive self-test”, says Vivian.
Vivian had her HPVST at her homestead, the test was reactive but because of the informative session about Cervical cancer and HPV she had prior to the test through the COAs she knew she was not positive to Cancer but to the Human Papilloma virus (HPV) that causes cancer which can be spread through sexual intercourse. Vivian was set for a VIAC Screening where she then confirmed she was negative but was to annually get screened to reduce any risk to Cervical Cancer. It does not end there, in the case ones VIAC Screening is positive (precancerous lesions around the cervix) they are referred for treatment as the motto goes ‘Screen Triage Treat’. Treatment includes Thermal Ablation, LEEP and cryotherapy
Vivian has been an advocate for HPVST spreading the word to her fellow work mates on the reliability, privacy, and convenience of the HPV DNA Kit. This screen, triage and treat method has marked an increase in access to screening as 751 samples have been collected to date under the TASQC Program. Of the 751 samples collected since inception (June 2022) 438 results have been received and only 155/438 were positive which means only a quarter of the cohort needs a VIAC screening at facility. However, of the 155 confirmed positives only 55 have had their VIAC Screening, this is still attributed to the complaints by some of the line listed women that they do not have bus fares to go for their VIAC appointment as they are screened HPV in their communities.. None the less in COP22 we plan to scale up Community VIAC outreaches to mop up the line listed women within their communities to reduce the chances of missing their screening due to economical strains! Despite the presenting challenge, Community HPV/DNA sample collection has contributed 75% towards Cervical Cancer Screening for the program. This has managed to decongest the facility by 73% lessening the burden on the healthcare system and reducing the risk of overtreatment to clients.
We continue soaring on EVIDENCE BASED INTERVENTIONS.
“SCREEN TRIAGE TREAT”