Cohorts and sources of data

The Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Study
In 2006, Canada has made available the first Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine to women between 9-26 years old. Although the efficacy of the vaccine has been well established, there remains limited data on the cost-effectiveness of the vaccine as well as its effect on pregnancy outcomes when used in the actual clinical practice. In addition, few data exist on whether the introduction of the vaccine has increased women's awareness of HPV.

The HPV Study is a patient-centered research program based on a surveillance system which will include all women receiving the HPV vaccination within the McGill University and Université de Montréal Health Care Institutions as well as within all pharmacies in the greater regions of Montreal and Laval, and possibly elsewhere in Quebec.

The proposal for funding is actually submitted for a pilot study and an HPV database infrastructure performed on a restricted number of physician practices and pharmacies looking at the feasibility of putting in place the HPV surveillance system and collecting data. If proven feasible, the study will be implemented and an HPV Registry will be built within the study. It is expected that a proposal for funding of the full phase of the study will be sent soon to large granting agencies.

The HPV Registry will allow assessment of the cost-effectiveness of the HPV vaccination in young women as well as studying the change in primary prevention practice of HPV through modifications in physicians and women knowledge and behaviours towards HPV prevention. The HPV Study will also test whether the built-in educational intervention directed towards women on the definition the diagnosis and the prognosis of HPV, HPV infections, and cervical pre-cancers/cancers will have an impact on the use of health care services for HPV prevention. The HPV study is extremely timely given that the Quebec Government will implement a universal HPV vaccination program for young women in the coming year. The HPV Registry is pivotal in putting in place the most comprehensive surveillance and epidemiological study on HPV since the introduction of the HPV vaccine thus far.