Co-produced Community Action for Improved Access to Cervical Cancer Screening in Rural Areas of the Mifi Health District

What this Trial Is About

This research aims to improve access to cervical cancer screening for women living in rural areas of the Mifi Health District in Cameroon. Cervical cancer causes a high number of deaths globally, especially in low- and middle-income countries due to low screening rates. The World Health Organization has set a goal for 70% of women to be screened, but this target is not met in Cameroon, particularly in rural communities. The study evaluates community co-produced action (CCA) strategies compared to traditional hospital-based screening approaches to increase screening coverage. The study uses a cluster-randomized design with 14 rural health areas divided into two groups. In the intervention group, participatory workshops with community members and a multidisciplinary team will co-develop local strategies for HPV-based cervical cancer screening, including awareness campaigns, collaboration with community health workers, health education materials, and access improvements. The control group will follow a standard hospital-based screening strategy coordinated by community health workers inviting women to screening at a regional hospital. All screened women will receive free HPV testing, triage, and treatment as needed. Participants will be women aged 30-49 years (25-49 if HIV-positive) living in the specified rural areas. They will be invited to undergo screening, with follow-up assessments including triage for HPV-positive women and treatment when necessary. The study measures the number of women completing screening within 12 months, triage and treatment completion within 6 months, and follow-up visits at 12 months. The study monitors sociodemographic factors and evaluates the effectiveness of community-based strategies in improving screening rates over one year.

Community Co-produced Action for Improved Access to Cervical Cancer Screening in Cameroon