HPV self-sampling for cervical cancer screening during wartime: a pilot implementation study from a conflict-affected region of Ukraine

Abstract

Cervical cancer screening is difficult to initiate and sustain during war due to disrupted health services, population displacement and limited clinical capacity. Evidence on whether human papillomavirus (HPV)-based screening using self-sampling can function as a screening pathway during armed conflict is unknown. This study evaluated the feasibility, acceptability and operational performance of HPV self-sampling for cervical cancer screening in a waraffected region of Ukraine.