Introduction of digitally enhanced VIA (VIA-DC) in health clinics in Gondar, Ethiopia

The Department of Applied Tumour Biology of the Institute of Pathology at Heidelberg University Hospital and the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics of the University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialised Referral Hospital, Ethiopia, have been maintaining a hospital partnership since 2011. Together they are working to improve the quality of and access to cervical cancer screening.

Background:

Cervical cancer is the second most common tumour disease among women in Ethiopia. Screenings are therefore a high priority. One screening method is the Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid method (VIA), in which the patient's cervical mucosa is examined with the naked eye. Up to now, screening has only been carried out irregularly. In addition, the VIA method is subjectively vulnerable. The digitally assisted VIA-DC (digital cervicography) method is a further development that allows optical magnification of the cervical mucosa and storage of the images for quality management.

Activities:

• Training of three gynaecologists in Germany in cervical endoscopy and the removal of abnormal cells by thermocoaugulation
• Further training of 20 midwives in the use of VIA-DC and thermocoaugulation with regular refresher seminars
• Screening of women of childbearing age.

Impact:

Access to and the quality of cervical cancer screening have been improved by the further training of midwives and doctors and by the introduction of the VIA-DC method.