Trends in cervical cancer epidemiology and vaccination coverage in Ukraine

Abstract

Objective: Aim: To evaluate regional aspects of cervical cancer epidemiology and adherence to vaccination in Ukraine.

Patients and methods: Materials and Methods: The data about cervical cancer age-standardised incidence rate in 2014-2019 in Ukraine was obtained from the archives of National Cancer Registry of Ukraine. The data about vaccination coverage were obtained from the reports by the Centre of Public Health of Ukraine.

Results: Results: The average cervical cancer age-standardised incidence rate in Ukraine in 2014-2019 was 14.9 per 100,000. Zhytomyr, Khmelnytskyi and Kirovohrad oblasts exhibited values 20% above the national level. The general trend of cervical cancer incidence at the national level in 2014-2019 was declining (from 15.0 to 14.1). Kyiv, Mykolaiv, Sumy and Chernihiv oblasts exhibited increasing trends in age-standardised incidence rate (>20%). The average zero-dose children proportion in Ukraine in 2016 -2024 was 30.3%. Vaccination coverage in Ukraine has been improving over the observation period in all oblasts.

Conclusion: Conclusions: Ukraine in 2014-2019 was characterised by the decreasing cervical cancer age-standardised incidence rate. Vaccination coverage in Ukraine in 2016-2024 has been improving, which increases the likelihood of a good response to the planned HPV vaccination campaign. Several regions with deviations from the national levels of cervical cancer incidence and vaccination coverage were identified.

Keywords: Cervical cancer; human papillomavirus; vaccination; prevention; public health.