Global Health Initiative
Project Dates 10/1/2019 - 09/31/2023
Location Kurigram, Bangladesh
Tags GHI Research

A Public Health Approach for Managing and Strengthening Cervical Cancer Program in Bangladesh

Research

This research project aims to develop an educational campaign on HPV infection and cervical cancer prevention, and expand the training of health care providers on cervical cancer screening, diagnosis and treatment in accordance with the National Strategy for Cervical Cancer Prevention and Control program. This project is funded through generous support from the UNFPA/DFIC.

Woman getting her temperature checkedWorldwide, 450,000 women are affected by cervical cancer yearly, and 260,000 will die from it. 85% of those affected live in low and middle income countries. In Bangladesh, cervical cancer is the second most common cause of cancer death among women with annual deaths of 11.5 per 100,000 women (6,500 deaths/year). Crude incidence rate among 15-44-year-old women is 19.2 per 100,000. 40%-60% of diagnosed cases die within one year due to lack of effective screening programs. In a recent review of the cervical cancer screening program of Bangladesh, it was reported that the program at present is based largely on opportunistic screening with good central coordination and some elements of organized screening.  The main objective of this program is to strengthen cervical cancer prevention programs with the ultimate goal of reducing the incidence, prevalence and death from cervical cancer.

#2

most common cause of cancer death among women in Bangladesh.

11.5

out of 100,000 women die of cervical cancer in Bangladesh every year.

40%-60%

of diagnosed cases die within one year due to lack of effective screening programs.

~40,000

women have been screened in Kurigram for cervical cancer since the program began in 2019

UNFPA - November training in Bangladesh. People are seated/standing around one another. Dr. Susan Cu-Uvin and Dr. Ruhul Abid are in the foreground.
November 2022 UNFPA Training Session
This program, funded by UNFPA/DFID, has developed an educational campaign on HPV infection and cervical cancer prevention and expanded the training of health care providers (including nurses, midwives and doctors) on cervical cancer screening, diagnosis and treatment in accordance with the National Strategy for Cervical Cancer Prevention and Control program. The program has implemented an effective and organized cervical cancer screening and treatment program, currently focused in Kurigram district. It uses a single visit see-and-treat model (VIA with mobile ODT/thermocoagulation), designates appropriate referrals for more advanced lesions, and provides quality assurance monitoring, data management and evaluation systems.