Browsing by Author "Grant J"

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    Acceptability of human papillomavirus (HPV) self-sampling among never- and under-screened Indigenous and other minority women: a randomised three-arm community trial in Aotearoa New Zealand.
    (Elsevier Ltd, 2021-11) Brewer N; Bartholomew K; Grant J; Maxwell A; McPherson G; Wihongi H; Bromhead C; Scott N; Crengle S; Foliaki S; Cunningham C; Douwes J; Potter JD
    BACKGROUND: Internationally, self-sampling for human papillomavirus (HPV) has been shown to increase participation in cervical-cancer screening. In Aotearoa New Zealand, there are long-standing ethnic inequalities in cervical-cancer screening, incidence, and mortality, particularly for indigenous Māori women, as well as Pacific and Asian women. METHODS: We invited never- and markedly under-screened (≥5 years overdue) 30-69-year-old Māori, Pacific, and Asian women to participate in an open-label, three-arm, community-based, randomised controlled trial, with a nested sub-study. We aimed to assess whether two specific invitation methods for self-sampling improved screening participation over usual care among the least medically served populations. Women were individually randomised 3:3:1 to: clinic-based self-sampling (CLINIC - invited to take a self-sample at their usual general practice); home-based self-sampling (HOME - mailed a kit and invited to take a self-sample at home); and usual care (USUAL - invited to attend a clinic for collection of a standard cytology sample). Neither participants nor research staff could be blinded to the intervention. In a subset of general practices, women who did not participate within three months of invitation were opportunistically invited to take a self-sample, either next time they attended a clinic or by mail. FINDINGS: We randomised 3,553 women: 1,574 to CLINIC, 1,467 to HOME, and 512 to USUAL. Participation was highest in HOME (14.6% among Māori, 8.8% among Pacific, and 18.5% among Asian) with CLINIC (7.0%, 5.3% and 6.9%, respectively) and USUAL (2.0%, 1.7% and 4.5%, respectively) being lower. In fully adjusted models, participation was statistically significantly more likely in HOME than USUAL: Māori OR=9.7, (95%CI 3.0-31.5); Pacific OR=6.0 (1.8-19.5); and Asian OR=5.1 (2.4-10.9). There were no adverse outcomes reported. After three months, 2,780 non-responding women were invited to participate in a non-randomised, opportunistic, follow-on substudy. After 6 months,192 (6.9%) additional women had taken a self-sample. INTERPRETATION: Using recruitment methods that mimic usual practice, we provide critical evidence that self-sampling increases screening among the groups of women (never and under-screened) who experience the most barriers in Aotearoa New Zealand, although the absolute level of participation through this population approach was modest. Follow-up for most women was routine but a small proportion required intensive support. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ANZCTR Identifier: ACTRN12618000367246 (date registered 12/3/2018) https://www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=371741&isReview=true; UTN: U1111-1189-0531. FUNDING: Health Research Council of New Zealand (HRC 16/405). PROTOCOL: http://publichealth.massey.ac.nz/assets/Uploads/Study-protocol-V2.1Self-sampling-for-HPV-screening-a-community-trial.pdf.
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    Dientamoeba fragilis associated with microbiome diversity changes in acute gastroenteritis patients.
    (Elsevier B.V., 2023-12-01) Muhsin-Sharafaldine M-R; Abdel Rahman L; Suwanarusk R; Grant J; Parslow G; French N; Tan KSW; Russell B; Morgan XC; Ussher JE
    This study examined the correlation between intestinal protozoans and the bacterial microbiome in faecal samples collected from 463 patients in New Zealand who were diagnosed with gastroenteritis. In comparison to traditional microscopic diagnosis methods, Multiplexed-tandem PCR proved to be more effective in detecting intestinal parasites. Among the identified protozoans, Blastocystis sp. and Dientamoeba fragilis were the most prevalent. Notably, D. fragilis was significantly associated with an increase in the alpha-diversity of host prokaryotic microbes. Although the exact role of Blastocystis sp. and D. fragilis as the primary cause of gastroenteritis remains debatable, our data indicates a substantial correlation between these protozoans and the prokaryote microbiome of their hosts, particularly when compared to other protists or patients with gastroenteritis but no detectable parasitic cause. These findings underscore the significance of comprehending the contributions of intestinal protozoans, specifically D. fragilis, to the development of gastroenteritis and their potential implications for disease management.
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    Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Self-Sampling among Never-and Under-Screened Indigenous Māori, Pacific and Asian Women in Aotearoa New Zealand: A Feasibility Study
    (MDPI (Basel, Switzerland), 2021-10) Bromhead C; Wihongi H; Sherman SM; Crengle S; Grant J; Martin G; Maxwell A; McPherson G; Puloka A; Reid S; Scott N; Bartholomew K
    In Aotearoa, New Zealand, the majority of cervical cancer cases occur in women who have never been screened or are under-screened. Wāhine Māori, Pacific and Asian women have the lowest rate of cervical screening. Self-sampling for human papillomavirus (HPV-SS) has been shown to increase participation in cervical cancer screening. A whole-of-system approach, driven by evidence in the most effective delivery of HPV-SS, is required to mitigate further widening of the avoidable gap in cervical screening access and outcomes between groups of women in Aotearoa. This single-arm feasibility and acceptability study of HPV self-sampling invited never- and under-screened (≥5 years overdue) 30-69-year-old women from general practices in Auckland, Aotearoa. Eligible women were identified by data matching between the National Cervical Programme (NCSP) Register and practice data. Focus groups were additionally held with eligible wāhine Māori, Asian and Pacific women to co-design new patient information materials. Questionnaires on HPV knowledge and post-test experience were offered to women. Our follow-up protocols included shared decision-making principles, and we committed to follow-up ≥90% of women who tested positive for HPV. Data matching identified 366 eligible never- and under-screened wāhine Māori, Pacific and Asian women in participating practices. We were only able to contact 114 women, and 17, during the discussion, were found to be ineligible. Identifying and contacting women overdue for a cervical screen was resource-intensive, with a high rate of un-contactability despite multiple attempts. We found the best uptake of self-sampling was at focus groups. Of the total 84 HPV-SS tests, there were five positive results (6%), including one participant with HPV18 who was found to have a cervical Adenocarcinoma at colposcopy. In our feasibility study, self-sampling was acceptable and effective at detecting HPV and preventing cervical cancer in under-screened urban wāhine Māori, Pacific and Asian women in Aotearoa. This is the first report of cervical Adenocarcinoma (Grade 1B) as a result of an HPV-18 positive self-sample in Aotearoa. We co-designed new patient information materials taking a health literacy and ethnicity-specific approach. This work provides policy-relevant information to the NCSP on the resources required to implement an effective HPV self-sampling programme to improve equity in national cervical cancer screening.
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    Human papillomavirus self-testing among unscreened and under-screened Māori, Pasifika and Asian women in Aotearoa New Zealand: A preference survey among responders and interviews with clinical-trial nonresponders
    (John Wiley and Sons Ltd, 2022-12) Sherman SM; Brewer N; Bartholomew K; Bromhead C; Crengle S; Cunningham C; Douwes J; Foliaki S; Grant J; Maxwell A; McPherson G; Scott N; Wihongi H; Potter JD
    INTRODUCTION: Māori, Pasifika and Asian women are less likely to attend cervical screening and Māori and Pasifika women are more likely to be diagnosed with later-stage cervical cancer than other women in Aotearoa New Zealand. This study-with under-screened women taking part in a randomized-controlled trial comparing self-testing and standard screening-explored the acceptability of a human papillomavirus (HPV) self-test kit and the preferred method for receiving it. METHODS: Māori, Pasifika and Asian women (N= 376) completed a cross-sectional postal questionnaire. Twenty-six women who had not accepted the trial invitation were interviewed to understand their reasons for nonparticipation. RESULTS: Most women found the self-test kit easy and convenient to use and reported that they did not find it painful, uncomfortable or embarrassing. This was reflected in the preference for a self-test over a future smear test on the same grounds. Most women preferred to receive the kit by mail and take the test themselves, rather than having it done by a doctor or nurse. There was a range of preferences relating to how to return the kit. Phone calls with nonresponders revealed that, although most had received the test kit, the reasons for not choosing to be involved included not wanting to, being too busy or forgetting. CONCLUSION: HPV self-testing was acceptable for Māori, Pasifika and Asian women in Aotearoa New Zealand. HPV self-testing has considerable potential to reduce the inequities in the current screening programme and should be made available with appropriate delivery options as soon as possible. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: This study explored the acceptability of HPV self-testing and their preferences for engaging with it among Māori, Pasifika and Asian women. Thus, women from these underserved communities were the participants and focus of this study.
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    The Open Question: Medical Anthropology and Open Access
    (14/04/2015) Kowal E; Meyers T; Raikhel E; Redfield P; Abramowitz S; Andersen B; Moyer E; Yates-Doerr E; Grant J
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    Uncoupling Molecular Testing for SARS-CoV-2 From International Supply Chains
    (Frontiers Media S.A., 2022-01-24) Stanton J-AL; O'Brien R; Hall RJ; Chernyavtseva A; Ha HJ; Jelley L; Mace PD; Klenov A; Treece JM; Fraser JD; Clow F; Clarke L; Su Y; Kurup HM; Filichev VV; Rolleston W; Law L; Rendle PM; Harris LD; Wood JM; Scully TW; Ussher JE; Grant J; Hore TA; Moser TV; Harfoot R; Lawley B; Quiñones-Mateu ME; Collins P; Blaikie R; Sørensen JL
    The rapid global rise of COVID-19 from late 2019 caught major manufacturers of RT-qPCR reagents by surprise and threw into sharp focus the heavy reliance of molecular diagnostic providers on a handful of reagent suppliers. In addition, lockdown and transport bans, necessarily imposed to contain disease spread, put pressure on global supply lines with freight volumes severely restricted. These issues were acutely felt in New Zealand, an island nation located at the end of most supply lines. This led New Zealand scientists to pose the hypothetical question: in a doomsday scenario where access to COVID-19 RT-qPCR reagents became unavailable, would New Zealand possess the expertise and infrastructure to make its own reagents onshore? In this work we describe a review of New Zealand's COVID-19 test requirements, bring together local experts and resources to make all reagents for the RT-qPCR process, and create a COVID-19 diagnostic assay referred to as HomeBrew (HB) RT-qPCR from onshore synthesized components. This one-step RT-qPCR assay was evaluated using clinical samples and shown to be comparable to a commercial COVID-19 assay. Through this work we show New Zealand has both the expertise and, with sufficient lead time and forward planning, infrastructure capacity to meet reagent supply challenges if they were ever to emerge.