Low cost versus other screening tests to detect cervical cancer or precancer in developing countries

Abstract

This is the protocol for a review and there is no abstract. The objectives are as follows: To assess the accuracy of low cost screening tests (visual inspection of the cervix with VIA, VILI or VIAM and careHPV test) to detect underlying CIN2+, CIN3+ or cervical cancer among adult women in developing countries To assess the accuracy of comparator tests (cervical cytology and other HPV tests requiring established laboratory infrastructure) to detect underlying CIN2+, CIN3+ or cervical cancer among adult women in developing countries To assess the relative sensitivity and specificity of the low cost index tests compared to each other and to the comparator tests to detect CIN2+, CIN3+ or cervical cancer among adult women in developing countries The following sources of heterogeneity will be investigated: study design and quality issues (quality of the reference standard, timing, completeness, independence of the application of the screening and reference tests, see QUADAS check list); characteristics of the study population (study location, study size, age distribution, prevalence of disease); procedures of reference standard verification; qualification of test assessors performing the visual inspection ; cytology preparation method (conventional or liquid-based): type of HPV assay; test cut-off used to define test positivity