Cervical cancer screening in rural Bhutan with the careHPV test on self-collected samples: an ongoing cross-sectional, population-based study (REACH-Bhutan).

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

The Bhutanese Screening Programme recommends a Pap smear every 3 years for women aged 25-65 years, and coverage ranges from 20% to 60%, being especially challenging in rural settings. The 'REACH-Bhutan' study was conducted to assess the feasibility and outcomes of a novel approach to cervical cancer screening in rural Bhutan.

Design

Cross-sectional, population-based study of cervical cancer screening based on the careHPV test on self-collected samples.

Setting

Women were recruited in rural primary healthcare centres, that is, Basic Health Units (BHU), across Bhutan.

Participants

Overall, 3648 women aged 30-60 were invited from 15 BHUs differing in accessibility, size and ethnic composition of the population.

Interventions

Participants p

SUBMITTER: Baussano I 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5734451 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature