Fig 2.

Referral strategy. Flowchart of the referral strategy used in this study. hrHPV DNA-positive women with >BMD were immediately referred for colposcopy, and those with hrHPV DNA-positive normal cytology and BMD at baseline were advised to have repeat cytology, HPV DNA, and mRNA analyses at 6 and 18 months. At 6 months, women were referred for colposcopy if cytology was >BMD. For women with BMD at baseline, colposcopy referral at 6 months was also advised in the event of repeat BMD cytology and a positive result of either HPV test, i.e., HPV DNA positive or mRNA positive. At 18 months, women were referred in case of >BMD cytology or a positive HPV DNA and/or mRNA test result. Otherwise, women were recalled at the subsequent screening round.