Abstract
Background: Cervical cancer has been ranked among the leading causes of deaths among women in Africa. Despite this, priority setting mechanisms used in planning for programmes and interventions that respond to sexual and reproductive health and rights services particularly in cervical cancer prevalence, prevention and treatment have not adequately taken into account research based evidence to respond appropriately. Methods: We adapted the Child Health and Nutrition Research Initiative method. A wide range of stakeholders identified potential research areas in an online survey. A technical working group comprising of 67 participants reviewed the questions for modification and removal of out scope questions. Finally, scoring and ranking was done to provide the top ten priorities questions. Results: “Cost-benefit analysis of systematic human papillomavirus vaccination compared to the current cost of cervical cancer in public health care systems” scored 27. This was followed by two research questions ranked at 24 points: “assessment of women’s and girls’ knowledge on the importance of early cervical cancer screening,” and “human papilloma virus vaccination and contributions of new technologies to the supply and storage of vaccines, including human papillomavirus vaccine”. Conclusion: The study identified 10 priority research questions that can guide the agenda for cervical cancer prevalence, prevention and treatment in the WHO Africa region. The identified priorities will be of use to policy makers, researchers and programmers and other stakeholders who can invest in areas that greatly affect cervical cancer prevalence, prevention and treatment.
Highlights
Women and girls in sub-Saharan Africa experience the highest burden of cervical cancer
In 2018, an estimated 570,000 women were diagnosed with cervical cancer worldwide and about 311,000 women died from the disease out of which 85 percent of the women are in the developing world including the sub Saharan Africa [5] [6]
From the list of 25 questions proposed for ranking, the research question addressing “cost benefit analysis of systematic Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination compared to the current cost of cervical cancer in public health care systems for relevant for countries” was scored at 27 points out of the possible maximum of 30 points
Summary
Women and girls in sub-Saharan Africa experience the highest burden of cervical cancer. Priority setting mechanisms used in planning for programmes and interventions that respond to sexual and reproductive health and rights services in cervical cancer prevalence, prevention and treatment have not adequately taken into account research based evidence to respond appropriately. Results: “Cost-benefit analysis of systematic human papillomavirus vaccination compared to the current cost of cervical cancer in public health care systems” scored 27. This was followed by two research questions ranked at 24 points: “assessment of women’s and girls’ knowledge on the importance of early cervical cancer screening,” and “human papilloma virus vaccination and contributions of new technologies to the supply and storage of vaccines, including human papillomavirus vaccine”.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
