Cervical cancer screening behaviors and proximity to federally qualified health centers in South Carolina

Abstract Objectives To assess the healthcare system related factors that cause delayed cervical cancer diagnosis at the primary healthcare level. Methods This was a descriptive study of healthcare providers in outpatient clinics at 10 health centers in Kigali city and the Eastern province of Rwanda. Care providers completed a survey questionnaire. Results Eighty-seven (87) health care providers participated. Of respondents, 85 (97.7%) were nurses and midwives, 81.6% being nurses. Only 15 (17.2%) reported to have received training on visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA) cervical cancer screening; and were distributed in 6/10 of the health centers surveyed. However, 75.9% of respondents reported that there was at least one person trained in VIA at their health center. Necessary basic equipment for cervical cancer evaluation was reported to be generally available. Overall, 49 (56.3%) participants were found to have adequate basic knowledge on cervical cancer symptoms and appropriate next step in the case of symptoms. We found no association between respondents’ knowledge of cervical cancer screening and profession or education level, work experience or reported prior training on VIA (p= 0.592, 0.384, 0.174 and 0.404, respectively). Conclusion There is a large gap in number of care providers with enough skills to perform cervical cancer VIA screening at health centers in Rwanda. As health centers are patients’ first point of contact with the healthcare system, there is a need to empower them in human resources and infrastructure if effective cervical cancer screening and prevention program is to be established.

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Knowledge and beliefs regarding cervical cancer screening and HPV vaccination among urban and rural women in León, Nicaragua

PeerJ ◽

10.7717/peerj.3871 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 5 ◽

pp. e3871 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Hannah D. Rees ◽

Alexandra R. Lombardo ◽

Caroline G. Tangoren ◽

Sara J. Meyers ◽

Vishnu R. Muppala ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cervical Cancer ◽

Cancer Screening ◽

Cervical Cancer Screening ◽

Rural Women ◽

Hpv Vaccine ◽

Cervical Cancer Prevention ◽

Health Centers ◽

Pap Smears ◽

Immunization Program ◽

Knowledge And Beliefs

Background In Nicaragua, cervical cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death for women ages 15–44, yet access to the HPV vaccine is limited to those with financial resources to pay for it. Cervical cytology is provided free of charge in public clinics; however, only 10% of women receive Pap smears at the nationally recommended frequency. Previous studies have not investigated how beliefs regarding cervical cancer screening may differ for urban and rural populations in Nicaragua. Furthermore, no investigation has assessed Nicaraguan women’s beliefs about a potential HPV immunization campaign. Given beliefs’ influence on health behavior, we investigated the structural, sociocultural, and knowledge-based factors influencing women’s beliefs regarding cervical cancer screening among urban and rural women in León, Nicaragua, and assessed acceptance of a potential HPV immunization program. Methods Our sequential explanatory mixed-methods study consisted of two phases: (1) a close-ended questionnaire, followed by (2) a qualitative, in-depth interview. Our quantitative sample contained 117 urban and 112 rural participants aged 18–49. We assessed beliefs regarding cervical cancer screening using a 22-item scale, with higher scores indicating screening-promoting beliefs in simple linear and multiple linear regressions. Twenty qualitative interviews, exploring the sociocultural dimensions of knowledge and attitudes indicated by our quantitative findings, were conducted with a sample of 13 urban and 7 rural women aged 19–46. Results The multiple linear regression indicates that greater knowledge of Pap smears, HPV, and cervical cancer is significantly associated with screening-promoting beliefs after adjusting for other relevant factors. There was no significant difference in screening knowledge and beliefs for urban and rural women. Four recurrent themes representing determinants of knowledge, beliefs, and attitudes regarding cervical cancer screening arose from interviews and built on quantitative findings: (1) women’s embarrassment due to the intimate nature of the Pap smear and male gender of exam provider discourages screening; (2) women believe Pap smears and cervical cancer are associated with sexual promiscuity, and this association stigmatizes women with the disease; (3) knowledge of cervical cancer prevention is limited to those who regularly attend health centers; and (4) women find screening inconvenient, believing understaffed clinics increase patient wait time, limit time patients spend with clinicians, and delay Pap results. A fifth theme indicates (5) participants’ acceptance of a potential HPV immunization program. Discussion Future interventions should focus on increasing access to information about cervical cancer prevention for women who do not regularly attend health centers. Furthermore, our results suggest that if funding were allocated to make the HPV vaccine accessible in Nicaragua, it would be well received.

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Utilization of Cervical Cancer Screening Among Hispanic Immigrant Women in Coastal South Carolina

Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities ◽

10.1007/s40615-017-0404-7 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 5 (3) ◽

pp. 588-597 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

John S. Luque ◽

Yelena N. Tarasenko ◽

Hong Li ◽

Caroline B. Davila ◽

Rachel N. Knight ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cervical Cancer ◽

South Carolina ◽

Cancer Screening ◽

Cervical Cancer Screening ◽

Immigrant Women

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Knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding cervical cancer screening among women in metropolitan Lima, Peru: a cross-sectional study

BMC Women s Health ◽

10.1186/s12905-021-01431-0 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Michelle M. Pieters ◽

Rae Jean Proeschold-Bell ◽

Emily Coffey ◽

Megan J. Huchko ◽

Lavanya Vasudevan

Keyword(s):

Cervical Cancer ◽

Cancer Screening ◽

Cervical Cancer Screening ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Attitudes And Practices ◽

Barriers To Screening ◽

Screening Services ◽

Knowledge And Attitude ◽

Screening Behaviors

Abstract Background Cervical cancer is a leading cause of cancer deaths among women of reproductive age in Peru. Screening and early identification of pre-cancerous lesions are a cornerstone of the cervical cancer prevention strategy. Yet, there is limited literature on barriers to screening among Peruvian women. In this cross-sectional study, we aimed to examine Peruvian women’s knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding cervical cancer screening and identify possible reasons for the gap between knowledge and screening. Methods The study was conducted in metropolitan Lima from June–August 2019. We purposefully recruited 12 women who had previously been screened, and 12 who had never been screened for cervical cancer. The women completed a 40-question knowledge and attitude survey and an in-depth interview about barriers to screening. Descriptive analysis was used to calculate a knowledge and attitude score and qualitative analysis was guided by the Health Belief Model constructs. Results Previously screened participants had greater knowledge of cervical cancer symptoms, risk factors, and prevention (mean score = 28.08, S.D. = 4.18) compared to participants who had never been screened (mean score = 21.25, S.D. = 6.35). Both groups described lack of priority and embarrassment as barriers to cervical cancer screening. For participants who had never been screened before, major barriers included the fear of a cancer diagnosis and lack of information about screening services. Pregnancy, unusual gynecological symptoms and encouragement from friends and family were cues to action for participants seeking screening. Most participants in both groups recognized the benefits of getting screened for cervical cancer. Being previously screened increased participants’ self-efficacy for engaging in screening behaviors again. Misconceptions regarding screening procedures and cervical cancer were also noted as barriers for participants accessing screening services. Conclusions Improving knowledge and awareness about cervical cancer and screening programs may improve screening behaviors among women. Targeting women who have never been screened before and addressing their fears and concerns around embarrassment may be other areas for intervention. Misconceptions that deter women from screening services are an important issue that should be addressed in order to increase the number of women who get timely screenings.

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VIA (Visual Inspection With Acetic Acid) Service Goes to Public to Make Jakarta Free From Cervical Cancer

Journal of Global Oncology ◽

10.1200/jgo.18.17100 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 4 (Supplement 2) ◽

pp. 143s-143s

Author(s):

L.M.F. Sirait ◽

L.A. Anggreni ◽

W.E. Prasetyo ◽

W. Kendar Susantyo ◽

R.K. Priharto

Keyword(s):

Cervical Cancer ◽

Cancer Screening ◽

Early Detection ◽

Health Services ◽

Cervical Cancer Screening ◽

Public Transportation ◽

Reporting System ◽

Health Centers ◽

Mobile Service ◽

Primary Health

Background and context: According to GLOBOCAN data 2012, cervical cancer in Indonesia was in 2nd rank of cancer incidence for women in Indonesia. Aim: To raise public awareness toward cervical cancer and to increase the number of citizens who go through the early detection procedure of cervical cancer in Jakarta. Strategy/Tactics: In January 2017, Department of Health of Special Capital Region of Jakarta issued a new policy to increase the rate of cervical cancer screening in the city. The new policy includes: 1. A new reporting system in which all the patients who are subjected to cervical cancer screening to be recorded in a special form, so it can be well reported and traced. 2. The changes in the conventional way of cervical cancer screening in primary health centers into mobile service to make the medical staffs able to easily reach patients who live in peripheral areas in Jakarta. Program/Policy process: The enhancement of health education on cervical cancer and health promotion regarding the importance of cervical cancer screening using public transportation (Transjakarta bus), Papanicolaou test, and VIA test socialization in primary health centers. The results were obtained and assessed between January 2017-December 2017. Early detection rates were expected to increase by 50% compared with 2016. Outcomes: The results obtained include: 1. The new reporting system works as expected, tracing the patient with a positive VIA value becomes easier to monitor. 2. Medical teams are more active on introducing the early detection cervical cancer screening to society. 3. Various innovations were carried out, among others, by using public transportation, motorcycles to carry the medical tools and devices, a modified car that is equipped with mobile health services, and a house of citizens and the community hall that were turned into a place for examination. The number of people who have started to realize to do early detection after being educated with the knowledge of VIA test and cervical cancer is increased. The number of citizens who joined the cervical cancer early detection in 2016 was 48,960. After the policy and innovation was applied, the number increased into 105,060 citizens (increased by 114% from the previous year). What was learned: The increase of early detection rate of cervical cancer is quite significant from the previous year. For patients with positive result in their VIA test, cryotherapy was included as the part of treatment and follow-up. Costs incurred due to the treatment of cervical cancer can be reduced. With the result of this study, we can learn that there is an improvement in the quality of health services so that the number of deaths and morbidity from cervical cancer in Jakarta can be reduced.

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