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Title
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Exploring strategies for cervical cancer control in Burundi
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Author
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Abstract
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| Cancer of the cervix is theoretically, the most preventable cancer. In the last 3 to 4 decades, the burden associated with cancer of the cervix was dramatically reduced in most developed countries where screening with papanicolaou test was successfully implemented in organised screening programmes. Since late 1990s, evidence has emerged that persistent HPV infection is the most important risk factor for cervical cancer development and later on, screening paradigm has changed from pap test based to HPV-based screening. Since more than a decade, HPV-type specific vaccination programmes have been implemented in majority of developed countries worldwide. Evaluation of these vaccination programmes show promising results towards cervical cancer control. Despite these developments, the burden associated with cervical cancer is still overwhelmingly high in low and middle income countries where implementation of sustainable screening programmes failed mainly due to limited financial investment, lack of well-trained healthcare workforce and infrastructure requirements. Burundi is a low income country with one of the highest cervical cancer incidence-to-mortality rate. Burundian Ministry of Health has recently undertaken some actions towards cervical cancer prevention: (1) a HPV vaccination project took place from 2016 to 2018 in two health districts and was deemed successful; the national rollout is planned for 2020 with the support of GAVI; (2) a cancer strategic plan has been elaborated and cervical cancer prevention activities include VIA screening implementation in a screen and treat approach. Other preventive activities such as male circumcision and promotion of condom use are part of the HIV control programme’s package. However, the circulating HPV strains and the preparedness of the healthcare workforce to contribute in cervical cancer control activities are not documented. In this regards, the scientific contribution contained in this thesis strongly supports the efforts to alleviate cervical cancer burden since it provides relevant information related to critical aspects that need to be addressed to better control the disease. |
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Language
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English
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Publication
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Antwerp
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University of Antwerp, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences
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2019
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Volume/pages
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162 p.
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Note
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Van geertruyden, Jean-Pierre [Supervisor]
:
vanden Broeck, Davy [Supervisor]
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Full text (publisher's version - intranet only)
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