“Urine high-risk human papillomavirus testing as an alternative cervical screening method in Kenya”
Country of Study
Kenya
Institution
University of Nairobi
Expected Year of Completion
2024
Thematic Area
Life and Health Sciences
Education
Loise is pursuing her PhD in Medical Microbiology and Immunology at the University of Nairobi, Kenya, where she also works as a Medical Laboratory Scientist. She has an MSc in Clinical Cytology from the same institution and is set to complete her studies in 2024.
Research Summary
Loise’s research evaluates the performance of urine hrHPV testing in self sampling cervical cancer screening in an effort to increase screening uptake from current 16% uptake. Studies have shown that self-sampling has the potential to significantly increase screening in hard-to-reach populations for cervical cancer. Though cervical cancer is preventable, it has not been the case in Sub-Saharan Africa. In 2018, it caused the highest cancer related deaths in Africa due to late diagnosis when prognosis is poor. Early diagnosis can prevent over 80% of cervical cancer cases as pre-cancer lesions are treated at asymptomatic stage. However several studies have barriers to screening mostly related to fear of pain and embarrassment during pelvic examination. WHO’s call to eliminate cervical cancer by 2030, advocates for each country to explore more self-sampling techniques. A study in Kenya indicated that female driven techniques like self- sampling can significantly increase screening uptake.
Publications:
1. Knowledge Level on Cervical Cancer amongst HIV positive women in Makueni County, Kenya
2. Patterns of cervical lesions among women living with HIV attending Comprehensive Care Clinic in Makueni Referral County Hospital, Kenya
