Comparison between self sampling and provider collected samples for Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) testing in a Nigerian facility.

Introduction: The multiple visits required for an effective Pap smear screening program is difficult to replicate in many developing countries. This precludes early diagnosis and care for patients with cervical cancer and contributes to its high mortality in these countries. HPV screening has higher specificity and high negative predictive value and has the advantage that materials can be self-collected, which permits the screening of women who for various cultural and religious reasons would be reluctant to come to the clinic to expose themselves for screening. The aim of the study was to assess the degree of agreement between self sampling for HPV DNA with samples collected by a health provider.

Methods: Each respondent selected from women presenting for cervical cancer screening underwent both self- and provider sampling for HPV DNA testing using Hybribio GenoArray.

Results: Of the 194 women screened, 12 (6.2%) and 19 (9.8%) had HPV on self sampling and provider col-lected samples respectively. The commonest HPV type seen using both techniques was HPV 58 (2.6%). Multiple HPV genotypes were seen in 1 (0.5%) and 5 cases (2.6%) of provider and self-collected samples respectively. The high risk-HPV detection rate was 7.2% when self sampled and 6.8% when sampled by the provider. There was moderate correlation between both sampling techniques (κ = 0.47, 95% CI: 21.3 - 72.3%, P < 0.05).

Conclusion: Our study shows moderate correlation between both sampling techniques. Larger multicentre studies will be needed to provide results generalisable to the Nigerian population. Keywords: Pap smear, HPV screening, cervical cancer, sample collection, self-sampling, provider collected, PCR, HPV DNA, Ile-Ife Nigeria.