NWT HPV Study

The Prevalence of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and Its Impact on Cervical Dysplasia in the Northwest Territories

ICHR Facilitators:

• Candice Lys (Project Coordinator), Susan Chatwood

Project Team:

• Dr. Yang Mao (P.I., Public Health Agency of Canada) Dr. Paul Brassard (co-P.I., McGill University) Government of the Northwest Territories Department of Health and Social Services, HPV Steering Committee

Funder:

• IPY Canada

Background

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a sexually transmitted infection that causes genital warts and cancer of the cervix in some women. During regular Pap tests, samples can be also tested for presence of HPV virus. A positive HPV test only means that you have HPV in your cervix and it does not mean that you have or will develop cervical cancer.

Purpose of This Study

The purpose of this HPV study was to find out the prevalence of the HPV infections in NWT women. The investigators also wanted to understand whether there are some life habits that increase the chance of acquiring the infection. NWT public health professionals will use this information to develop effective cancer screening and prevention programs for women in the North.

NWT public health professionals will use this information to develop effective cancer screening and prevention programs for women in the North.

How was the study done?

Nurses, midwives, and doctors asked women aged 18-69 years old to participate in the study by signing a consent form, completing a short questionnaire, and having a regular Pap test. No additional medical procedures were done other than the regular Pap test. There are no additional risks to participants, as the Pap smear is a safe examination. All information is strictly confidential as this study uses identification numbers for the data collected instead of participants’ names.

Phase I data collection started on April 1, 2008 and ended on March 31, 2009. During the study period, over 6,000 Pap test samples were collected and tested.

Phase II began in March 2009 in all regions of the NWT and ran until December 31, 2009. Over 15 clinics around the NWT (including 4 in Yellowknife) participated. This phase involved a 5-minute self-administered questionnaire completed during a regular pap test visit and no additional medical procedures. A portion of the Pap test sample was sent to Winnipeg for further DNA testing once the Alberta DynaLife laboratory in Edmonton finished regular pap testing. This study followed proper clinical guidelines for HPV management and healthcare providers received the usual Pap test results for study participants. Over 1000 questionnaires and samples were collected through mid-August 2009 for Phase II.

Acknowledgements

A special thanks to all nurses, nurse practitioners, midwives, physicians, and staff for their active participation in this study! Also, thank you to the study steering committee members for your time and expertise.

For more information call Candice Lys at 1-888-698-2476 & 867-873-9337 or email hpv@ichr.ca.