Global Burden Estimation of Human Papillomavirus (GLOBE-HPV)

This study is a multi-country and multi-site project to estimate the point-prevalence of high-risk (HR) HPV genotype infections among representative samples of girls and women aged 9-50 years, and among specific sub-populations to estimate the incidence of persistent HPV infection among sexually active young women. The data to fulfill the objectives will be collected through a series of Cross-Sectional Surveys (CSS) and Longitudinal Studies (LS) in all 8 countries 3 South Asian countries including Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal and 5 sub-Saharan African countries including Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Ghana, Zambia and DR Congo. Qualitative sub-studies (QS) will be conducted in selected countries and populations following the CSS to further understand and unpack risk factors for HPV infection as well as to explore how gender-related dynamics including perceptions of gender norms and stigma, influence HPV burden and/or create barriers that shape girls/women access to and uptake of HPV prevention, screening, and treatment services. Specific study protocols and corresponding ethical applications for the qualitative sub-studies will be developed separately.