Managing Hepatitis B (Hep. B) and Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) Related Cancers and Mental Health.

Overview

Aim: The main goal of this observational study is to determine the prevalence of Human Papilloma Virus(HPV) infection, and Hepatitis B (Hep B) immunity amongst women of childbearing age 13 to 45 years) attending clinics at Mtshabezi Mission and Matobo clinic respectively; and assess behavioral risk factors of high school students at these catchment areas that can put them at risk for developing cancer of the cervix and liver. Question: Can screening for cancer, and vaccination against Hep B and HPV, and cognitive behavior intervention help in preventing related cancers amongst these groups of participants.

Hypotheses: * The prevalence of HPV infection (might be high) and Hep B immunity (might be low) is not documented and therefore unknown in this community as there is no routine surveillance of these specific conditions * Behavioral risk factors of High School students in Matabeleland South Province have not yet been assessed and remain unaddressed hence the high rates of suicide, infection and teen pregnancy which predispose participants to Hep B and HPV related infection and consequently, cancers. Participants have not had access to the HPV preventing vaccine Gardasil 9. To provide answers to these concerns, investigators propose the activity described below. Objectives The objectives of this proposal are twofold: 1\. Research- uses the Theory of change and the quantitative epidemiologic descriptive survey method to gather, analyze and interpret data and disseminate results. There is no sampling frame as this study is exploratory. True prevalences are not known. 1.1 Data collection, analysis, and interpretation to determine the burden of HPV infection; determine the HPV types that are prevalent in this community to assess the potential effectiveness of the available vaccine; assess potential for developing vaccine covering local Geno-types, determine the prevalence of immunity to Hep B, assess biliary tract involvement, and depression prevalence among adult participants.1.2 Conduct a youth risk behavior screen to determine potential infection risk and mental health issues, and design intervention strategies.1.3 Disseminate preliminary findings after the first 6 months or year one and suggest intervention strategies that can be evaluated for effectiveness during the study period. Publish findings and scale project to other areas in Zimbabwe and internationally.1.4 Request collaboration with NIH/NCI/Global center/Behavioral health to strengthen research capabilities and service provision in this area.2. Intervention 2.1 Recruit 800 consenting female participants attending prenatal, family planning, post-partum, and other clinics at these selected centers to perform a one-time comprehensive medical exam, pap smear (to detect abnormal cells, and HPV test (if eligible) to detect infection in the cervix); perform blood test to look for Hep. B. and cancer biomarkers' presence, perform a onetime fibro scan and abdominal ultrasound to assess the liver and gall bladder involvement.2.2 Administer the Youth Risk Behavior Screen (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to participating students in the selected schools over a period of 5years to determine the types and significance of problem behavior and suggest appropriate interventions; Assess protective factors among boarders versus day scholars. offer Gardasil 9 vaccine to 1500 eligible students with parental consent over a period of 5 years or until it has been made universally accessible to these participants during the project duration. 2.3 Refer participants with positive screens for further assessments and management including behavioral health intervention as indicated. Assess potential for home visits, telehealth services, routine screening, and immunization to ease access to services. Create teen clinics at the school sites. Analyze data at three levels using the IBM Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) for significance testing and disseminate results. Solicit Ministry of Health and Childcare (MOHCC) buy-in for scaling to other Provinces. * Investigators plan to follow-up this cohort, funds permitting, to determine the prevalence of infection with HPV and /or subsequent development of cervical cancer ten years post vaccination with Gardasil 9 vaccine, and 6months to 1 year post Hep B vaccine to determine immunity or infection. * Based on the data obtained, clinical trials will assess the probability of developing an HPV vaccine that is user and patient friendly to Low to Middle Income Countries (LMIC) countries; promote creation and use of screening tools suitable for rural communities. * School Behavioral Health services are non-existent currently. It is planned that the introduction of school-based counseling and individualized access to Psychiatric nurse/Psychiatrist/Psychologist will help students stay away from identified risk behaviors that expose them to HPV and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), and that HPV vaccine will soon be made universally accessible with help from Global Vaccine Institute (GAVI) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). * Participants identified as having risk behaviors will be offered further assessment by a psychiatrist or /and psychologist to develop a viable framework to prevent and manage such behaviors including medication which is currently not available in Zimbabwe. Recommendations regarding women's health i.e., screening for cervical cancer and vaccination against HPV and Hep B, depression, Intimate Partner Violence will be guided by the findings of this study.