Self-collected cervical samples for detection of high-risk human papillomavirus: A community outreach approach in a remote region.
4 affiliations
- 1Department of Biochemistry, Sikkim Manipal Institute of Medical Sciences, Sikkim Manipal University, Gangtok, Sikkim, India.
- 2Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Sikkim Manipal Institute of Medical Sciences, Sikkim Manipal University, Gangtok, Sikkim, India.
- 3Department of Pathology, Sikkim Manipal Institute of Medical Sciences, Sikkim Manipal University, Gangtok, Sikkim, India.
- 4Department of Medical Biotechnology, Sikkim Manipal Institute of Medical Sciences, Sikkim Manipal University, Gangtok, Sikkim, India.
Abstract
Background and objectives Self collection of cervical samples is evolving as a potential screening approach to overcome cultural, geographical and logistical barriers that contribute to poor screening uptake. We conducted a study to compare performance of self and physician-collected cervical samples for high-risk human papillomavirus (hr-HPV) detection through community outreach approach in the hilly terrains of Sikkim. Methods A prospective longitudinal study was conducted for 2 y, sampling 210 sexually active women aged 18-65 y attending Central Referral Hospital and 3 district hospitals in Sikkim. Paired self and physician collected cervical samples were taken from consenting women for HPV DNA and pap test. Women who had total hysterectomy, diagnosed with cancer or were pregnant were excluded. Colposcopy was done among those positive for HPV infection. Result Prevalence of HPV (HPV DNA ± pap) was 17% (36/210) in this study of which HPV 16 was the most common variant (n=4,15%). Physician collected samples had the highest HPV detection rate (n=26,12%). Sensitivity and specificity were highest with physician-collected samples (71.4%, and 76.9%, respectively). Concordance between physician and self-sampling was good (Kappa 0.7). Women lost to follow up for colposcopy was 36% (n=13). Interpretation and conclusions Performance of physician-sampling was better than self-sampling and pap in the detection of hr-HPV. Physician-sampling should be used for HPV DNA detection when feasible.
Related
- Impact of menopausal status on human papillomavirus detection and cervical neoplasia in middle-aged Senegalese women
- Follow-up after fertility-sparing surgery for cervical cancer: should human papillomavirus testing be used routinely? A narrative review
- 2022 WHO estimates for overall and human papillomavirus test-based cervical cancer screening coverage worldwide: a review and synthetic analysis
- Healthcare professionals' communication practices and preparedness in organised human papillomavirus-based cervical Cancer screening: A cross-sectional study in Central Portugal.
- Community-based infectious disease prevention awareness through children's creative works: outreach embedded in school-based action research
BibTeX
@article{sherpa2026selfcollected,
title = {{Self-collected cervical samples for detection of high-risk human papillomavirus: A community outreach approach in a remote region.}},
author = {Mingma Lhamu Sherpa and Pesona Grace Lucksom and Mingma Sherpa and Anup Pradhan and Chamma Gupta},
journal = {The Indian journal of medical research},
year = {2026},
month = aug,
doi = {10.25259/ijmr_147_2026},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42851226},
note = {CC BY-NC-SA},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Self-collected cervical samples for detection of high-risk human papillomavirus: A community outreach approach in a remote region.
AU - Mingma Lhamu Sherpa
AU - Pesona Grace Lucksom
AU - Mingma Sherpa
AU - Anup Pradhan
AU - Chamma Gupta
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/08/01
JO - The Indian journal of medical research
DO - 10.25259/ijmr_147_2026
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42851226
AB - Background and objectives Self collection of cervical samples is evolving as a potential screening approach to overcome cultural, geographical and logistical barriers that contribute to poor screening uptake. We conducted a study to compare performance of self and physician-collected cervical samples for high-risk human papillomavirus (hr-HPV) detection through community outreach approach in the hilly terrains of Sikkim. Methods A prospective longitudinal study was conducted for 2 y, sampling 210 sexually active women aged 18-65 y attending Central Referral Hospital and 3 district hospitals in Sikkim. Paired self and physician collected cervical samples were taken from consenting women for HPV DNA and pap test. Women who had total hysterectomy, diagnosed with cancer or were pregnant were excluded. Colposcopy was done among those positive for HPV infection. Result Prevalence of HPV (HPV DNA ± pap) was 17% (36/210) in this study of which HPV 16 was the most common variant (n=4,15%). Physician collected samples had the highest HPV detection rate (n=26,12%). Sensitivity and specificity were highest with physician-collected samples (71.4%, and 76.9%, respectively). Concordance between physician and self-sampling was good (Kappa 0.7). Women lost to follow up for colposcopy was 36% (n=13). Interpretation and conclusions Performance of physician-sampling was better than self-sampling and pap in the detection of hr-HPV. Physician-sampling should be used for HPV DNA detection when feasible.
SN - 0971-5916
ER -