Human Papillomavirus Self-sampling for Enhancing Cervical Screening During the War in Ukraine

Cervical cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women worldwide and is almost always caused by persistent infection with high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV). Organized screening programs using HPV testing have been shown to reduce cervical cancer incidence and mortality. However, in settings affected by armed conflict, access to preventive services is disrupted, and clinic-based screening becomes difficult to maintain.

In 2020, a cervical screening center was established in the Zaporizhzhia region of Ukraine, close to the conflict zone. A pilot HPV-based screening initiative was launched to estimate HPV prevalence and support the development of an organized national screening program. This effort was interrupted by the escalation of the war, which led to disruption of services, population displacement, and increased barriers to preventive care.

This study aims to revive and expand these efforts by implementing an HPV-based cervical cancer screening program using self-sampling in Zaporizhzhia. The project leverages the long-standing experience from Sweden in organized screening, HPV laboratory quality assurance, and self-sampling implementation, while adapting the model to conflict-affected conditions in Ukraine.

Objectives

The main objectives are to:

• Improve access to cervical cancer screening for women in Zaporizhzhia by offering HPV testing on self-collected samples.
• Ensure accurate and reliable HPV testing through participation in external proficiency schemes and the use of accredited laboratories.
• Provide timely and guideline-based follow-up for women who test positive for high-risk HPV.
• Evaluate key implementation outcomes (e.g., acceptability, adoption, appropriateness, feasibility).
• Conduct a process evaluation to understand how the intervention is adapted and sustained in the context of ongoing conflict.

Study Design and Intervention

Women aged 30-60 years living in Zaporizhzhia who have not had a documented negative HPV test in the past three years will be eligible. No exclusions are made based on socioeconomic status or ethnicity. Women with prior hysterectomy or inability to provide informed consent will be excluded.

The intervention comprises several coordinated components:

1. Quality assurance of HPV testing:

   Two PCR laboratories in Zaporizhzhia participate in annual external proficiency testing coordinated by the International HPV Reference Center. One laboratory serves as the primary testing site and a second as a contingency laboratory. Only assays that achieve proficiency for high-risk HPV detection will be used.

2. Centralized database:

   A secure electronic platform (selfsamplingukraine.ua) is developed to collect/register: patient registration, risk classification, kit distribution, patient feedback and HPV test results. The database functions both as a clinical registry and as the primary data source for monitoring, evaluation, and implementation outcomes.

3. Protocols and training:

   Standard operating procedures define eligibility criteria, self-sampling instructions, sample handling, HPV testing, result reporting, and follow-up pathways. Healthcare providers receive structured training on these procedures, including how to counsel women, interpret HPV results, and arrange follow-up.

4. Self-sampling and HPV testing:

   Primary care physicians and collaborating partners (NGOs) distribute self-sampling kits with written instructions. Women can return the samples directly to clinics, or via volunteers from the Charitable Foundation "World Against Cancer." Collected samples are tested for high-risk HPV types in the accredited laboratories. Regular internal and external quality controls are performed.

5. Result reporting and follow-up:

   HPV test results are uploaded to the secure platform and made available to the woman's primary care physician, who then informs the participant and organises follow-up. Women with HPV 16/18 are prioritised for expedited gynaecological assessment (colposcopy) within two months. Women with other high-risk HPV types are managed according to national or project-specific guidelines (e.g., repeat testing at 12 months or referral for colposcopy). HPV-negative women are reassured and advised on routine screening intervals.

6. Implementation and Process Evaluation

An embedded implementation research and process evaluation component will assess how the intervention functions in a conflict-affected setting. Data sources include: a) Routine registry data participation, kit return rates, HPV positivity, and follow-up completion; b) Structured surveys of participants to measure acceptability, perceived barriers and facilitators, and satisfaction with self-sampling and follow-up; c) Surveys and semi-structured interviews with healthcare providers and key stakeholders to assess adoption, appropriateness, feasibility, workload, and perceived sustainability; d) review of project documents, meeting minutes, and timelines to document adaptations over time.

Quantitative analyses will use descriptive statistics for participation and HPV outcomes and, where relevant, comparative analyses to explore factors associated with screening uptake and follow-up completion. Qualitative data will be analysed thematically to identify key themes regarding acceptability, feasibility, and contextual influences.

Target Population and Expected Impact

The anticipated sample size is approximately 1,000 women, corresponding to the estimated number of eligible women reachable within the current healthcare system in Zaporizhzhia. All eligible women who consent will be included.

The target population is women aged 30-60 years living in Zaporizhzhia, a region affected by war and health system disruption. The intervention is expected to:

• Increase access to screening by offering a convenient self-sampling option.
• Enable earlier detection of high-risk HPV infections and precancerous lesions.
• Reduce the burden of advanced cervical cancer and the associated physical, emotional, and economic consequences.
• Provide an evidence-based, scalable model for cervical cancer screening in conflict and other resource-constrained settings.

The study also aims to reduce inequalities in access to preventive services by prioritising outreach and free participation for women who might otherwise be missed by traditional clinic-based screening.

Ethical Approval

Ethical approval has been granted by the Ethics Committee of the Educational and Scientific Medical Center "University Clinic," Zaporizhzhia State Medical and Pharmaceutical University (Protocol No. 9, 24 September 2024, with earlier approvals). Karolinska Institutet has received approval from the Swedish Ethical Review Authority (2024-06579-01) to conduct quality assurance activities related to the project.