Gangtok

This research aims to monitor the real-world effectiveness of HPV vaccination at least seven years after its introduction in Sikkim, India. The study focuses on women aged 18 to 22 years to estimate the prevalence of HPV infections before vaccination and seven years later, to provide important feedback on how the vaccine impacts cervical HPV infection rates. The study also considers herd immunity effects in this population. The study is observational and involves collecting cervical samples from married women aged 18 to 22 years attending gynecology outpatient clinics. Participants will complete a questionnaire about socio-demographic information, sexual history, and HPV vaccination history. A gynecologist will collect cervical cells to test for specific HPV types and chlamydia infections. There is no treatment or intervention involved. Participants will be approached once for sample collection and questionnaire completion. Researchers will compare HPV infection rates at baseline and after seven years to evaluate the vaccines impact. The primary outcomes include measuring reductions in HPV and chlamydia infection prevalence. Women who agree to participate will provide informed consent before sample collection. The study is expected to run through the end of 2026.