Period: 2023-2025.
Problem: HPV testing has become the main strategy for cervical cancer prevention. However, HPV positivity can have a psychosocial negative impact among tested population. In addition, information provided by health providers about HPV is often insufficient, what can generate difficulties in understanding HPV-test results and follow up steps. Mobile applications (apps) are increasingly used as tools to improve communication between population and healthcare professionals. Developing this app will constitute a low-cost, easy to use tool that will radically change how HPV-tested population access evidence-based information.
Aims: Develop and test an app to increase knowledge of HPV and cervical cancer, reduce the psychosocial impact of HPV testing, and increase adherence to follow-up.
Funded by: National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health (U.S.) under an Award R21 to develop mHealth solutions.
Period: 2023-2024.
Problem: In Argentina, the Jujuy Demonstration Project (JDP) 2012-2014 showed an improvement of the HPV Test regarding coverage, effectiveness, organization and adoption of programmatic components compared to cytology-based screening. However, there is no evidence about the implementation of the HPV test in the long term.
Aims: To evaluate reach, effectiveness, adoption, implementation, and maintenance of HPV-testing between 2015-2022 in Jujuy.
Funded by: National Ministry of Health – Direction of Research for Health. Fellowship SALUD INVESTIGA 2023-2024.
Period: 2021-2022.
Problem: In Argentina, the Demonstration Project for the Introduction of the HPV Test as primary screening in Jujuy (PDJ) 2012-2014 proved an improvement of the HPV Test in relation to the Pap smear regarding the coverage, effectiveness, organization and adoption of programmatic components. However, there is no evidence about the implementation of the HPV-test strategy in the long run.
Aims: 1. To evaluate the impact of the implementation of the HPV test in the second round of screening. 2. To analyze women´s profile of those who do not adhere to screening, diagnosis and/or treatment in the second round of screening.
Funded by: National Ministry of Health – Direction of Research for Health. Fellowship SALUD INVESTIGA 2020.
Period: 2022-2025.
Problem: In Argentina, the Demonstration Project for the Introduction of the HPV Test as primary screening in Jujuy (PDJ) 2012-2014 proved, regarding the coverage, effectiveness, organization and adoption of programmatic components, an improvement of the HPV Test in relation to the Pap smear. However, there is no evidence about the implementation of the HPV test in the long term.
Aims: 1. To evaluate the impact of the implementation of the screening strategy with HPV tests in the second round of screening; 2. To characterize the profile of women who do not adhere to screening, diagnosis and treatment in the second round of screening.
Funded by: The National Agency for the Promotion of Science and Technology (PICT 2020 SERIE A).
Period: 2022-2023.
Problem: For the feasibility of the implementation of a mobile app for cervical cancer prevention, it is necessary to know the perspective of health professionals. This implementation will introduce a tool that will improve communication between women and health professionals in the health care routine.
Aims: To understand the organizational factors that affect the incorporation of mobile apps in cervical cancer prevention from the perspective of the professionals of primary health care services in the province of Buenos Aires.
Funded by: National Cancer Institute – National Ministry of Health (Fellow: Paula Frejdkes).
Period: 2019-2021.
Problem: Lack of devices that provide information and support to women when receiving positive HPV results.
Aims: To design a counseling app aimed at reducing the psycho-social impact of HPV-Testing for cervical cancer prevention among women (Phase 1).
Funded by: Conquer Cancer – ASCO foundation (American Society of Clinical Oncology).
Period: 2020-2021.
Problem: Difficulties in access and compliance with cervical cancer treatment in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Aims: 1. To measure the degree of treatment compliance of women with CC diagnosed before/after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic; 2. To evaluate the factors associated with noncompliance with treatment; 3. To identify barriers and facilitators in the access to CC treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Funded by: National Ministry of Health – Fellowship SALUD INVESTIGA 2019.
Period: 2019-2022.
Problem: Low coverage to mammogram screenings among women with high risk of breast cancer.
Aims: To evaluate the implementation of an mHealth intervention to promote participation of performing mammogram screenings in women aged 50 to 69 in the Province of Santa Fe.
Funded by: National Cancer Institute – National Ministry of Health.
Period: 2021-2022.
Problem: Low adherence to the guidelines for cervical cancer prevention.
Aims: 1. To assess the knowledge and attitudes of health professionals, decision-makers and representatives of scientific societies regarding the WHO guideline recommendations for cervical cancer prevention. 2. To assess the potential barriers and facilitators for the implementation of the WHO recommendations guidelines for the prevention of cervical cancer.
Funded by: International Agency for Research on Cancer of the World Health Organization (IARC-WHO).
Period: 2021-2023.
Problem: Low adherence to the triage Pap in women with a positive HPV-self-collected test.
Aims: To analyze the sociodemographic, economic and institutional factors that influence the adherence to triage of women with positive-self-collected test, in the public health system in the province of Jujuy between 2015 and 2016.
Funded by: CONICET (Doctoral Fellow: Anabella Le Pera)
Period: 2020-2022.
Problem: Lack of information and of access to information for HPV (human papillomavirus) and cervical cancer.
Aims: To generate evidence on the information needs of women with HPV+ test results to contribute to the development of communication strategies to reduce the psychosocial impact of HPV+ testing.
Funded by: CONICET (Posdoctoral Fellow: Lucila Szwarc).
Period: 2020.
Problem: Psychosocial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Aims: 1. To analyze the psychosocial impact of COVID-19 as well as the coping strategies used by the general population. 2. To analyze the relationship between psychosocial impact and adherence to Preventive and Mandatory Social Isolation.
Funded by: CEDES.
Period: 2017-2020.
Problem: low Pap triage coverage adherence in women who tested HPV positive via self-collection of the HPV test.
Aims: evaluate the efficiency and the implementation of a multicomponent strategy to increase adherence to Pap triage in women who tested HPV positive via self-collection of the HPV test.
Funded by: National Cancer Institute / National Cancer Institutes of Health – R01.
Period: 2019-2020
Problem: low access coverage to mammogram screenings.
Aims: evaluate the implementation of the intervention by an automated system of invitation via text message (SMS) to promote participation of performing mammogram screenings in women aged 50 to 70 in the Jujuy Province.
Funded by: National Cancer Institute
Period: 2018-2020
Problem: lack of evidence regarding the obstacles and facilitators in the implementation of the self-collection of the HPV test strategy in programmatic contexts.
Aims: evaluate the dependability of the implementation of the self-collection of the HPV test strategy according to the model presented in the EMA Project (EMA Strategy) in the Municipality of La Matanza.
Funded by: National Cancer Institute
Period: 2017-2020
Problems: low rates of adherence to triage, diagnosis and treatment in contexts of screening with self-collection of the HPV test for the prevention of cervical cancer.
Aims:
1. Measure the adherence to diagnosis and treatment in the context of screening with self-collection of the HPV test;
2. Analyze the relation between the sociodemographic characteristics of the women and adherence to the triage;
3. Describe the obstacles and facilitators (sociostructural, symbolic and institutional) for the adherence to the triage, diagnosis and treatment in the context of screening with the self-collection of the HPV test, from the women’s perspective.
Funded by: The National Agency for the Promotion of Science and Technology (PICT-2016-3064)
Period: 2019-2020
Problem: insufficient guidelines to orient public policies for promotion, and policies for prevention of cancer in the Latin American and Caribbean region.
Aims:
1. Evaluate health professionals’ perceptions regarding a Latin American and Caribbean Code Against Cancer (CLCC, for its acronym in Spanish) as a tool in cancer prevention (acceptability, feasibility and relevance)
2. Evaluate health decision-makers’ and health services managers’ perceptions in regards to implementing a CLCC as a support tool in designing and implementing public policies for cancer prevention and control (acceptability, feasibility and relevance).
3. Evaluate health professionals, health decision-makers’ and health services managers’ perspective in regards to possible broadcasting channels for CLCC.
4. Evaluate the Latin American population’s acceptability of the Code, as well as their perspective regarding possible broadcasting channels for CLCC as a tool to promote cancer prevention practices.
5. Evaluate the Latin American populations’ preferences regarding the content (comprehension) and the way of presenting the prevention messages (tone, use of language, phrase, etc.) to be included in the CLCC (relevance and acceptability).
Funded by: International Agency for Research on Cancer of the World Health Organization (IARC-OMS)
Problem: low screening coverage for cervical cancer prevention in the indigenous people in extreme conditions of socio-economic vulnerability, with linguistic and cultural obstacles in accessing health services.
Aims: evaluating the acceptability of the HPV test via self-collection method in women aged 30 or older in Alto de la Sierra, a region in the Chaco salteño (the tropical forest area of Salta province), where the Wichí, Chorote and Criolla indigenous population lives.
Funded by: Associació Nous Cims, Catalonia, Spain
Period: 2017-2018
Problems: low rate of triage, diagnosis and treatment of HPV+ women in the context of screening performed via self-collection of the HPV test.
Aims: analyze the magnitude and the social determinants of triage, diagnosis and treatment adherence in HPV+ women in the context of screening with self-collection of the HPV test.
Funded by: Directorate of Research for Health. Grants SALUD INVESTIGA “Dr. Abraam Sonis” (Multicenter Studies Category)
Period: 2016-2019
Aims:
1. Validating the PSICO-ESTAMPA scale to measure the psychosocial impact of the HPV tests in the context of primary screening to prevent cervical cancer;
2. Make a transculturally valid instrument available to be used in Latin American counties.
Funded by: International Agency for Research on Cancer of the World Health Organization (IARC-OMS)
Period: 2011-2016
Problem: limitations in the interventions carried out to reduce the frequency and mortality rate of cervical cancer, some of which are inherent to using screening methods based on conventional cytology (Pap).
Aim:
1. Evaluate the efficiency of the HPV test for the detection of CIN2+ lesions in comparison with the cytology test as primary screening;
2. Evaluate the implementation process of the HPV test;
Funded by: National Ministry of Health
Period: 2012-2013
Aim: evaluate the efficiency of the self-collection test offered by community health workers during home visits to increase screening coverage for cervical cancer prevention.
Funded by: Nation Ministry of Health- International Agency for Research on Cancer of the World Health Organization (IARC-OMS).
