Cervical cancer screening in rural Bhutan with the care HPV test on self-collected samples: an ongoing cross-sectional, population-based study (REACH-Bhutan)

Objectives The Bhutanese Screening Programme recommends a Pap smear every 3 years for women aged 25–65 years, and coverage ranges from 20% to 60%, being especially challenging in rural settings. The ‘REACH-Bhutan’ study was conducted to assess the feasibility and outcomes of a novel approach to cervical cancer screening in rural Bhutan. Design Cross-sectional, population-based study of cervical cancer screening based on the care HPV test on self-collected samples. Setting Women were recruited in rural primary healthcare centres, that is, Basic Health Units (BHU), across Bhutan. Participants Overall, 3648 women aged 30–60 were invited from 15 BHUs differing in accessibility, size and ethnic composition of the population. Interventions Participants provided a self-collected cervicovaginal sample and were interviewed. Samples were tested using care HPV in Thimphu (the Bhutanese capital) referral laboratory. Main outcome measures Screening participation by geographic area, centre, age and travelling time. Previous screening history and care HPV positivity by selected characteristics of the participants. Results In April/May 2016, 2590 women (median age: 41) were enrolled. Study participation was 71% and significantly heterogeneous by BHU (range: 31%–96%). Participation decreased with increase in age (81% in women aged 30–39 years; 59% in ≥50 years) and travelling time (90% in women living <30 min from the BHU vs 62% among those >6 hours away). 50% of participants reported no previous screening, with the proportion of never-screened women varying significantly by BHU (range: 2%–72%). 265 women (10%; 95% CI 9% to 11%) were care HPV positive, with a significant variation by BHU (range: 5%–19%) and number of sexual partners (prevalence ratio for ≥3 vs 0–1, 1.55; 95% CI 1.05 to 2.27). Conclusions Community-based cervical cancer screening by testing self-collected samples for human papillomavirus (HPV) can achieve high coverage in rural Bhutan. However, solutions to bring self-collection, HPV testing and precancer treatment closer to the remotest villages are needed.