scholarly journals Primary health care workers’ understanding and skills related to cervical cancer prevention in Sango PHC centre in south-western Nigeria: a qualitative study

Author(s):  
Anthonia O. C. Onyenwenyi ◽  
Gugu Gladness Mchunu

Abstract Aim: The study explored the knowledge and service delivery skills of primary health care (PHC) workers to conduct cervical cancer screening programmes in Sango primary health centre in Sango town, Ado-Odo Ota, Ogun State in Nigeria. Background: Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer affecting women. The prevention and control services in Nigeria are provided mainly at post-primary health facilities. Authorities have advocated the integration of cervical cancer prevention into reproductive health services provided at PHC centres. The service delivery capabilities of PHC workers are critical for successful implementation of screening programmes. Method: Exploratory qualitative research design was used. Data were collected among 10 PHC workers who were purposively sampled at Sango PHC. Semi-structured interview guide with broad items and a checklist were used to assess participants’ cervical cancer screening knowledge and service delivery skills using visual inspection screening methods. Data were analysed thematically and triangulated. Findings: A range of roles were represented in the interviews of the health care workers at the PHC studied. They had poor knowledge and skills about cervical cancer screening using visual inspection with acetic acid and visual inspection with Lugol’s iodine. Study participants perceived nurses as most equipped PHC workers to conduct screening at PHC level, followed by the community health officers. Participants reported no cervical cancer services at the centre and community. The findings provided useful insight that guided the training of primary health workers and the development of a community-based cervical cancer screening model for women in rural communities. Conclusion: Nurses and other PHC workers should be trained on visual inspection screening method. This low-cost but effective methodology could be incorporated into their training curricula as a strategy for scaling up cervical cancer prevention programmes across Nigeria.

2006 ◽  
Vol 119 (6) ◽  
pp. 1389-1395 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ghislain Sangwa-Lugoma ◽  
Salaheddin Mahmud ◽  
Samih H. Nasr ◽  
Jean Liaras ◽  
Patrick K. Kayembe ◽  
...  

2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sunday Joseph Ayamolowo ◽  
Lydia Feyisayo Akinrinde ◽  
Monisola Omoyeni Oginni ◽  
Love Bukola Ayamolowo

The global incidence of cancer is rising, and low-income and lower-middle-income countries have the worst figures. However, knowledge of cervical cancer prevention and cervical cancer screening practices remains poor in these regions. This study assessed the concept of health literacy as a potential determinant of knowledge of cervical cancer prevention and screening practices among female undergraduates. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 385 female undergraduates at a university in southwest Nigeria. A validated questionnaire composed of subscales on nine components of health literacy, knowledge of cervical cancer prevention, and cervical cancer screening practices was used for data collection. The majority of the respondents obtained a high score on most of the components of health literacy and 66% had good knowledge of cervical cancer prevention. Only 11% demonstrated good practices of Pap smear testing. Of all the components of health literacy, “feeling understood and supported by healthcare providers” (OR = 0.075; 95% CI [0.036–0.115]; p = 0.015) and “understanding health information well enough to know what to do” (OR = 0.055; 95% CI [0.006–0.104]; p = 0.029) were significantly associated with knowledge of cervical cancer prevention. Out of the major challenges related to cervical cancer screening among undergraduates, the feeling of being at risk (OR = 4.71; p < 0.05) and uncomfortable experiences from past screening (OR = 0.12; p < 0.05) were significantly associated with going for cervical cancer screening. The study concluded that levels of health literacy influenced knowledge of cervical cancer prevention among female undergraduates, but it did not affect their engagement in cervical cancer screening practices.


2017 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 18-22 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea Obročníková ◽  
Ľudmila Majerníková

AbstractAim. Cervical cancer is the most common genital malignancy and one of the leading causes of death among female population in Slovakia. At present, this location of cancer is preventable disease visible in screening for premalignant lesions if the women use and participate in such screening regularly. We assessed the knowledge on the cervical cancer screening, the attitude towards it and its utilization among women in Slovakia.Material and methods. A cross-sectional study evaluated the knowledge, attitude and practice of cervical cancer prevention and screening among women. The sample was composed of 239 women aged 18-64 years. Data collection was conducted by selfadministered questionnaire in a period from January to April 2015.Results. Respondents exhibited an average knowledge of cervical cancer, about risk factors and early signs, but awareness of cervical cancer screening was satisfactory. Despite the fact that respondents expressed good attitude to cervical cancer screening, their level of practice was low (64% participation in preventative gynaecology check-ups and 43% in Pap smear tests within one year and 44% within three years). In the study we could observe better results in women with higher education when it comes to an illness (p < .001), its prevention (p < .001) and risk behaviour (p < .001).Conclusions. The awareness of cervical cancer among women in Slovakia is limited. In the future there is a need to educate and promote awareness of cervical cancer among women to reduce the burden of morbidity and mortality.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elisha Ngetich ◽  
Irene Nzisa ◽  
Alfred Osoti

AbstractIntroductionCervical cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in women in low- and middle-income countries. In Kenya, cervical cancer incidence and prevalence have been increasing and in 2018 alone, there were 3286 deaths from cervical cancer. Previously, studies on cervical cancer prevention strategies have focused on women above 30 years old. However, as the risk factors for cervical cancer are acquired as early as in the teen years, an understanding of the awareness, uptake and determinants of screening services among college female students will help inform prevention strategies. This study sought to determine the awareness, uptake, determinants and barriers to cervical cancer screening services among colleges students in Kenya.MethodsThis was a multicenter cross-sectional study conducted in eight universities spread all over Kenya. Participants were interviewed using a self-administered structured questionnaire on sociodemographics, reproductive history, awareness on cervical cancer including screening practices, and attitude towards cervical cancer prevention services. Descriptive statistics were summarized using means and standard deviation (SD) for parametric data and median and interquartile range (IQR) for non-parametric data. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were done to determine odds ratios of factors associated with uptake of cervical cancer screening services. P-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant.ResultsBetween January 2017 and Sept 2017, we screened 800 and enrolled 600 female colleges students from eight universities in Kenya. In total, 549 of the 600 (92%) participants completed the questionnaire. The median age (IQR) was 21(20,22) years. Nearly two-thirds 338(62.7%) were sexually active, while 54(16%) had concurrent sexual partners. The main form of contraception was oral postcoital emergency pills 123(64.7%). Only 76(14.4%) had screened for cervical cancer, and the commonest approach was a Pap smear 47(61.8%). About one half 40(54.1%) did not like their experience due to pain, discomfort and bleeding. Four out of five participants (439, 80.7%) had poor knowledge on cervical cancer screening. On bivariate analysis, increased level of awareness (odds ratio [OR] 1.08 95% Confidence Interval [CI] 1.03,1.18, p = 0.004), knowledge of someone with cervical cancer(OR 0.43 CI 0.23,0.78 p=0.006) and a perception of self-risk (OR2.6 CI 1.38,4.98 p=0.003) were associated with increased odds of uptake of cervical cancer screening. In the multivariate analysis, high awareness was significantly associated with increased odds of cervical cancer screening (OR 1.12 CI 1.04, 1.20 p=0.002).ConclusionsFemale college students in Kenya had low levels of awareness on cervical cancer and had very low uptake of cervical cancer screening. However, high perception of self-risk and perceived benefit was associated with increased odds of cervical cancer screening.RecommendationsSince female colleges students are generally thought to be more knowledgeable and have better access to information compared to the general population, the low levels of knowledge and uptake of cervical cancer screening, calls for a rethink of strategies that focus on the younger population including those in primary, high school and universities. Such strategies include HPV vaccination and incorporation of cancer prevention in school curriculum.


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