Grant: Master's Award: Canada Graduate Research Scholarships - Master's program

Cervical cancer (CC) is the leading cause of cancer-related mortality among women in Tanzania, accounting for approximately 7,000 deaths annually. It is primarily caused by persistent infection with human papillomavirus (HPV). To reduce this burden, the World Health Organization (WHO) has called for the global scale-up of prevention, detection, and treatment interventions. While effective screening and treatment modalities exist, many women are lost to follow-up after initial care. According to current WHO guidelines, women who previously tested HPV+ and received appropriate treatment are expected to return for a one-year follow-up to confirm treatment success; however, adherence remains low. Mobile health (mHealth)-supported patient navigation (PN) tools offer a promising strategy to improve continuity of care by providing reminders, education, and follow-up support. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness and implementation of mHealth-supported PN strategies to increase one-year follow-up rates among HPV+ women in Kilimanjaro, Tanzania. We will conduct a trial involving 2,800 women aged 25–49 who previously tested HPV+, received care and have been counselled about follow up in one year. Participants will be randomized into one of three PN intervention arms, receiving follow-up reminders via text messages and/or phone calls from trained nurses. Semi-structured qualitative interviews will be conducted with participants, healthcare providers, and leadership staff to assess the acceptability and feasibility of PN strategies. Findings will generate critical evidence to guide the integration of scalable, digital navigation tools into Tanzania’s CC care pathways, reducing preventable mortality and supporting WHO’s 2030 targets for CC elimination.