Persistence of human papillomavirus 16, 18 and 52 variants in Inuit women from Northern Quebec, Canada.

Intratypic DNA polymorphism has been described for human papillomavirus (HPV) types infecting Inuit women in Nunavik, Quebec, a high-risk population for HPV infection and cervical cancer, but there is no previous research on the association between HPV polymorphism and infection persistence in Inuit women. Polymorphism of HPV types 16, 18 and 52 was described in a subset of 64 participants with multiple clinic visits within a cohort of 677 Nunavik Inuit women aged 15-69 recruited in 2002-2010 with testing results. Logistic regression and Cox proportional hazards models were used to assess the association between HPV variants and infection persistence and clearance.

Incidence, persistence, and determinants of human papillomavirus infection in a population of Inuit women in northern Quebec.

Background: To study the incidence, persistence, and determinants of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection in a population of Inuit women from Nunavik, Quebec, by overall HPV infection, Alphapapillomavirus (α) species, and oncogenic risk grouping.

Methods: We recruited a cohort of Inuit women living in communities in Nunavik when they presented for routine care. Baseline sociodemographic and lifestyle characteristics were collected and cervical specimens collected throughout the follow-up period were tested for HPV-DNA using the PGMY Line-blot assay.

Factors associated with cervical cancer screening uptake among Inuit women in Nunavik, Quebec, Canada.

Background: The Canadian circumpolar Inuit population has a higher incidence rate of cervical cancer than the general population and the majority of cases occur among underscreened women. The objectives of this study were to determine Pap smear utilization rates and to determine factors associated with time-inappropriate use of cervical cancer screening among a cohort of Inuit women from Nunavik, Quebec, Canada.

Methods: This study utilizes baseline information collected from a cohort formed between January 2002 and December 2007 to study the natural history of HPV among Inuit women aged 21-69 years in Nunavik, Quebec.

Assessing barriers to health insurance and threats to equity in comparative perspective: the Health Insurance Access Database.

Background: Typologies traditionally used for international comparisons of health systems often conflate many system characteristics. To capture policy changes over time and by service in health systems regulation of public and private insurance, we propose a database containing explicit, standardized indicators of policy instruments.

Methods: The Health Insurance Access Database (HIAD) will collect policy information for ten OECD countries, over a range of eight health services, from 1990-2010.

Inuit women's attitudes and experiences towards cervical cancer and prevention strategies in Nunavik, Quebec.

Objectives: To describe the attitudes about and experiences with cervical cancer, Pap smear screenings and the HPV vaccine among a sample of Inuit women from Nunavik, Quebec, Canada. We also evaluated demographic and social predictors of maternal interest in HPV vaccination.

Study Design: A mixed method design was used with a cross-sectional survey and focus group interviews.

Dry self-sampling versus provider-sampling of cervicovaginal specimens for human papillomavirus detection in the Inuit population of Nunavik, Quebec.

Objective: To assess the comparability of self-collected cervicovaginal samples and provider-collected cervical samples for the detection of human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA among Inuit women in Nunavik, Quebec, avoiding the use of liquid-based storage and transport of the self-collected samples.

Methods: Ninety-three women aged 18-69 years were recruited from a previously formed cohort on the natural history of HPV to this cross-sectional measurement study. This study utilized HPV DNA test results from 89 paired specimens collected by study participant and health provider with Dacron swabs.

Awareness and knowledge about human papillomavirus among Inuit women in Nunavik, Quebec.

Accurate knowledge about human Papillomavirus (HPV) and its link to cervical cancer is essential for women to understand and make use of cervical cancer prevention and detection opportunities. This study was the first to survey awareness and knowledge of HPV in a population of Canadian Inuit. The objectives of this study were to assess the level of awareness and knowledge of Inuit women in Nunavik, Quebec, Canada, about HPV infection and its relation to cervical cancer and to study correlates of this awareness.