Overview

This Clinical Trials Network for Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)-Associated Cervical Cancer Screening and Treatment Optimization (CASCADE) -3001-A trial aims to assess how the introduction of a community-health-worker-facilitated model, in addition to the existing static clinic-only model, influences the rates of cervical cancer screening uptake among women living with HIV (WLWH). This study involves offering HPV self-collection for cervical cancer screening to eligible WLWH.

The 'CASCADE' Network is a clinical trials network aimed at improving cervical cancer screening, management, and pre-cancer treatment for WLWH, in various healthcare settings. The network will conduct implementation trials to improve the triage of HPV-positive WLWH, as well as algorithms to optimize access to and options for effective treatment. Trials will be conducted using a mixed-methods approach aimed at assessing implementation strategies and outcomes and their potential to integrate into existing health systems.

Further understanding of HPV-based community-based strategies to reach WLWH, and the acceptability, feasibility, appropriateness, and cost of these strategies will be valuable for cervical cancer screening programs serving WLWH. Inputs from various 'CASCADE' Clinical Sites (CS) regarding feasible screening outreach options available in their settings for WLWH have guided this study that focuses on evaluating a pragmatic HPV self-collection implementation model to improve access to screening.

While it is clear that HPV self-collection is a highly acceptable and feasible screening option, creating opportunities to conduct self-collection in alternative venues outside the clinic premises, and with the guidance of and facilitation by trusted community healthcare workers (defined hereafter as facility-link facilitators (FLFs)) is an important implementation strategy that needs to be evaluated and considered for its potential benefit. Studies have not yet evaluated a community-based approach for HPV self-collection kit distribution among WLWH - who may have different characteristics, preferences, and access to screening services than women not living with HIV. Providing WLWH with the option of receiving HPV self-collection kits in their own homes or other community-based settings ('community-based HPV self-collection') is a novel implementation strategy that could improve cervical cancer screening rates among eligible women. Therefore, this novel trial aims to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of implementing community-based HPV self-collection among WLWH.

Eligibility

Participant Inclusion Criteria:

• Are living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
• Are 25-49 years of age, or as recommended by the Uganda's Ministry of Health Cervical Cancer Prevention and Control Guidelines
• Live in the catchment areas of or attend a study-eligible clinic
• Are eligible for Human Papillomavirus (HPV)-based cervico vaginal testing either because:
  • They have never undergone cervical cancer screening before, or
  • They have never undergone HPV-based testing before and are now due for Acetic Acid (VIA), per national guidelines, or
  • They have previously undergone HPV-based testing, and are now due for follow-up HPV-based testing per national guidelines, and /or
  • They underwent ablative or excisional treatment for presumed or confirmed cervical dysplasia \>1 year ago and have not had any follow-up cervical cancer screening since treatment.

Participant Exclusion Criteria:

• Have had their cervix removed
• Are pregnant or \<3 months post-delivery
• Were positive on their most recent cervical cancer screening test and referred for further evaluation or treatment, but did not complete their referral
• Have previously been treated for invasive cervical cancer

Clinic Inclusion Criteria

• Clinics selected for inclusion will include those clinics that provide Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) care and distribute antiretroviral therapy (ART) to Women living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (WLWH).
• These clinics should also have the ability to collect their own data.
• Such clinics could be supported by national programs and bilateral donor-funded initiatives