Other research studies

HPV-Swedens Elimination by Prevention Project (HPV-SWEEP)

Today, many children in Sweden miss out on being protected against cancer and other diseases caused by the Human Papillomavirus (HPV), despite the fact that we have effective vaccines that are offered to all children in grade five. Being hesitant about vaccinations is common worldwide and is a serious threat to public health. In Sweden, all children in grade five are offered the vaccination because it is important to be vaccinated before sexual debut. In addition, younger children develop better protection from the vaccine compared to older children. If 90% of all children received the vaccine, HPV-related cancer could be eradicated and this is now a global public health goal set by the World Health Organization. Unfortunately, Sweden does not reach the goal and in parts of the country very few children are vaccinated - we therefore risk missing the chance to eradicate cancer and prevent diseases among unvaccinated children. We want to change this! To do this, we work together with children, parents and school nurses with the aim of increasing knowledge and improving attitudes towards HPV vaccination.

Forskningsansvarig

Maria Grandahl, Docent, maria.grandahl@uu.se

Completed research projects

The Embla study is a randomized controlled trial and aims to evaluate the effect of an Internet-based intervention for women with vulvodynia while waiting for clinical treatment.

The patients, from Uppsala, Örebro, Falun and Gävle, have been randomized to either a 6-week treatment via the internet or a waiting list for usual treatment. To examine the effects and cost-effectiveness of the intervention, socio-demographic data as well as information on pain, pain acceptance, depression, anxiety, quality of life and care consumption were collected. Some participants in the study were also invited to participate in an interview study with the aim of describing women's experiences of internet-based treatment.

Vulvodynia can mean a lot of suffering for the patients and the treatment is often long. After internet-based treatment, the participants reported less pain during intercourse and an increased pain acceptance. Furthermore, internet-based treatment was appreciated by the participants in terms of the content of the treatment, support from eCoach and accessibility. Technical difficulties and the length of the treatment were barriers to going through the treatment. The health economic evaluation has been published, providing a deeper understanding of internet treatment for vulvodynia. Further results of these studies, soon to be published, suggest that Internet-based treatment can be used as an adjunct to usual clinical treatment.

Collaborations

Region Örebro County, County Council Dalarna, Region Gävleborg, Center for Clinical Research Västerås

Financing

Regional Research Council Mid Sweden and Center for Clinical Research Västerås

Responsible:

Alkistis Skalkidou, alkistis.skalkidou@kbh.uu.se

Andrea Hess Engström, andrea.hess.engström@kbh.uu.se

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