Background
Many women with high-risk HPV (hrHPV) can heal from infections without treatment. The World Health Organization suggests using Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid (VIA) as a follow-up test during cervical cancer screenings. However, there are concerns about how accurate this test is. This study looked at how well VIA works, both with and without Lugol’s iodine, to find serious cervical changes (CIN2+) in women who tested positive for hrHPV after self-sampling.
Method
This study was a randomized controlled trial conducted in Adama, Ethiopia. Women who tested positive for hrHPV after self-sampling were divided into two groups: one group received VIA with iodine, and the other received VIA without iodine. Results were classified as positive, negative, suspicious for cancer, or inconclusive, and women were treated based on these results. Cervical biopsies were taken from those who tested positive to confirm findings.
Results
Out of 878 women, 22.4% tested positive for hrHPV. The sensitivity (ability to correctly identify those with the disease) and specificity (ability to correctly identify those without the disease) for VIA without iodine were 25.0% and 82.7%, respectively. For VIA with iodine, sensitivity was 50.0% and specificity was 86.3%. Although VIA with iodine showed improved sensitivity, the difference between the two methods was not statistically significant. Additionally, women who were HIV positive had a higher chance of detecting CIN2+ compared to those who were HIV negative.
Conclusion
Using VIA with iodine improved the detection of CIN2+ in women who tested positive for hrHPV, but it was not significantly better than using VIA alone.
Opportunities Based on Trial Data
Measurable Outcomes
Set clear goals for clinics and patients by focusing on improving the accuracy of cervical cancer screening methods and ensuring timely treatment for women with hrHPV.
Select AI Tools That Fit Clinical Needs
Choose AI solutions designed to enhance the accuracy and efficiency of screening processes, helping healthcare providers make informed decisions based on trial results.
Implement Step by Step and Expand
Start with a pilot project to test these AI solutions, monitor outcomes, and assess the real-world impact of improved screening methods.
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