scholarly journals Health services related factors affecting the pap smear services in Fiji: a qualitative study

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Aliti Kunatoga ◽  
Masoud Mohammadnezhad
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Cervical Cancer ◽  
Cancer Screening ◽  
Cervical Cancer Screening ◽  
Pap Smear ◽  
Turnaround Time ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Screening Services ◽  
Made In

Abstract Background Cervical cancer is the thirdly vast usual cause of cancer in women, and the second vast majority cause of death among women aged 14 to 44 years, both in developed and developing countries. This paper aims to explore the perception of women and Health Care Workers (HCWs) about health care related factors affecting the Pap smear services among women who are screened in the Women Wellness Centre (WWC) in Suva, Fiji. Methods This study used a qualitative method in July–September 2019 in which women screened for cervical cancer used in–depth interviews whereas HCWs used Focus Group Discussion (FGD) in WWC in Suva, Fiji. This study used purposive maximum variation sampling where participants are selected according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Semi–structured open ended questionnaires were used to collect the data among participants. Data coding was done until theoretical saturation was reached. Thematic analysis was used and all the text has been coded, themes were abstracted from the coded text segments. Results A total of 20 women screened for cervical cancer and 5 HCWs were present during the duration of the study. Health care system was a factor recognized by both groups to have been a cause for the hindrance of cervical screening. There were 8 themes identified from the study, 3 themes from the women screened for cervical cancer and 5 from HCWs. Nearly all the participants reported about the compromised of cervical cancer screening services delivery because of factors such as lack of equipment and supplies, shortage of staff, long distances to health facilities, turnaround time and delay of results which affect the uptake of cervical cancer screening services. Conclusion While improvement has been made in the distribution of cervical cancer screening in WWC, a number of barriers and factors affect service uptake and delivery. Investments to be made in order to address the identified barriers such as turnaround time, long distances to health facilities, shortage of supplies and staff in order to improve uptake of cervical cancer screening services.

scholarly journals Knowledge, attitude and practice of cervical cancer and its screening (Pap smear) among female students of Orotta College of medicine and health sciences

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 51-61
Author(s):  
Yohannes Mekonen ◽  
Hermon Berhe ◽  
Luam Ghebreab ◽  
Elias Teages
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Cervical Cancer ◽  
Cancer Screening ◽  
Cervical Cancer Screening ◽  
Pap Smear ◽  
Care Delivery ◽  
Health Sciences ◽  
Female Students ◽  
Screening Methods ◽  
Cross Sectional

Background: Cervical cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide that affects developing countries and young women in particular. Out of many types of female cancers, cancer of the cervix could be prevented if appropriate medical interventions are taken on time. Pap smear is a means for early detection of premalignant stages and treatment before the disease advances to a late stage. However, its practice remains unsatisfactory in many countries including Eritrea. Objective: The aim of the study was to illustrate knowledge, attitude and level of cervical cancer and Pap smear practice and associated factors among female students of Orotta College of Medicine and Health sciences (OCMHS). Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among female undergraduate students in OCMHS enrolled during the academic year 2018-2019. A total of 252 students participated in the study. Piloted, structured questionnaire was used to collect data. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to assess the distribution and to identify associations between independent and outcome variables respectively. Results: Majority of the students, 171 (68.4%), were 18-21 years old and 159 (63.6%) were second and third year students. One hundred thirty six (54.4%) students had inadequate knowledge and one hundred twenty three (49.2%) had negative attitude towards cervical cancer screening. Only two (0.8%) participants had ever been screened with Pap smear test. Logistic regression analysis showed that age, level of education and year of study were significantly associated with knowledge of cervical cancer and its screening methods. Year of study and knowledge levels were significantly associated with attitude towards cervical cancer screening (Pap smear). Conclusions: The study showed that there is a lack of knowledge of cervical cancer, unfavorable attitude towards screening methods and poor utilization of Pap smear. The study emphasized the importance of creating awareness and increasing knowledge of cervical cancer and Pap smear through numerous health education campaigns and mass media. Hence, it will be vital to integrate cervical cancer preventive measures with other reproductive health care services at all, if not at the highest, levels of health care delivery system.

scholarly journals Utilization of Cervical Cancer Screening Services among Women in Vhembe District, South Africa: A Cross-Sectional Study

2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 451-463
Author(s):  
Elisa N. Vhuromu ◽  
Daniel T. Goon ◽  
Maria S. Maputle ◽  
Rachel T. Lebese ◽  
Benedine U. Okafor
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Cervical Cancer ◽  
Cancer Screening ◽  
Cervical Cancer Screening ◽  
Pap Smear ◽  
Cervical Screening ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Screening Services ◽  
Vhembe District

Aim:Screening for early detection and treatment of cervical cancer is a cornerstone of prevention. The purpose of this study was to assess the awareness in women about the utilization of cervical cancer screening services in Vhembe District, South Africa.Methods:This cross-sectional study involved a random selection of 500 women aged 20-59 years in Vhembe District, Limpopo Province, South Africa. Data was collectedviaa self-structured questionnaire on the demographic variables, provision, utilization and awareness of cervical cancer screening services.Results:The majority of the participants agreed to have cervical cancer screening services in their clinics (79.2%), and never had a Pap smear (58.6%). Most women would not go for cervical cancer screening, mainly because of a lack of facilities (30.0%), fear of pain (24.4%), and embarrassment (15.2%). Most participants indicated that Pap smear test meant scraping the cervix to detect abnormal cancerous cells (39.2%) and 34.2% did not know a Pap smear. Majority of the participants indicated Pap smears should be done every 10 years (65.8%); Pap smears could detect cervical cancer earlier (66.8%), and had heard about cervical cancer (71.6%). The majority of the participants considered cervical cancer as a serious problem to warrant considerable attention (59.4%); and some perceived cervical cancer as transmittable through multiple sexual partners (22.2%). The majority of the participants were aware of a vaccine against cervical cancer for girls at school (69.0%), and it was indicated that government should use health education to encourage women to attend cervical screening services (51.6%).Conclusion:Despite the free availability of cervical cancer screening services and awareness, the utilization of cervical cancer screening services is low. There is a need to intensify cervical screening health talks and campaigns, and to provide alternative accessible options for screening services for women in rural areas.

scholarly journals The Perceptions of Professional Nurses Regarding the Performance of Cervical Cancer Screening, in Makhuduthamaga Sub-district, Sekhukhune District, Limpopo Province, South Africa

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (13) ◽  
pp. 152
Author(s):  
Coshiwe Matildah Makunyane
Keyword(s):  
Cervical Cancer ◽  
Cancer Screening ◽  
Cervical Cancer Screening ◽  
Pap Smear ◽  
Cultural Beliefs ◽  
Cervical Screening ◽  
Limpopo Province ◽  
Screening Services ◽  
Professional Nurses ◽  
Related Mortality

Cervical cancer is regarded as the most common diagnosed type of cancer and resulting in high cancer related mortality amongst women. Cervical cancer related mortality rate is a serious challenge in Africa as compared to other countries, which needs a high collaborative approach amongst all health professionals. However, the higher incidence and death rate of cervical cancer implies that, high need of cervical cancer screening measures are necessary. A qualitative, descriptive approach was conducted through focus group discussions to establish perceptions of professional nurses regarding the provision of cervical cancer screening services in clinics. Challenges regarding the provision of cervical cancer services in clinics were raised by professional nurses during interviews. Verbatim data was collected by using interview guides and analyzed using Tesch’s 8-step approach in the coding process. Perceptions such as cultural beliefs, lack of resources for conduction of cervical cancer screening and transportation of Pap smear specimens and results, inadequate provision of information and pap smear results to clients were raised by professional nurses as contributing to cervical cancer uptake. Lack of standardized cervical cancer screening training thus leading to professional nurses not being sure of their performance regarding the provision of cervical cancer screening services were also stated by participants as challenges influencing uptake of cervical cancer screening. However, lack of standardized training about cervical cancer screening was found to be affecting the performance on provision of cervical screening services. A need for standardized cervical cancer screening training for all professional nurses is recommended.

Setting Up a Cytology Laboratory for Cervical Cancer Screening in a Developing Country: A One Year’s Early Experience at a Private Facility

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mwesigwa Boaz ◽  
Ngoma Febian ◽  
Abila Derrick Bary ◽  
Othieno Emmanuel ◽  
Zahra Award Warsame
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Cervical Cancer ◽  
Cancer Screening ◽  
Developing Country ◽  
Cervical Cancer Screening ◽  
Pap Smear ◽  
Cervical Cytology ◽  
Disease Stage ◽  
Pap Smear Test ◽  
Smear Test

Abstract IntroductionWidespread cytology-based method of screening such as Pap smear test has significantly led to a reduction in the incidence and mortality associated with cervical cancer in many developed countries. In these countries, facilities needed for early detection of cervical cancer such as cytology laboratories are existent and generally available to their population. In a developing countries like Somalia, access to cytology services for cervical cancer screening remains limited and as result majority of patients present with advanced stage disease (stage III & IV) that is too difficult to treat.InterventionTo address this challenge, the management of AL-Zahra Specialty Hospital contracted a cytologist based in Uganda to guide in setting-up of cytology laboratory in the heart of Mogadishu, Somalia so as to provide cervical cancer screening and diagnostics services to the population. Other interventions made by the visiting cytologist involved guiding the procurement officer in the purchase of basic equipment, reagents, consumables and training of health care staff. This resulted into conducting 1020 cervical cytological tests over a period of 12months (1st September, 2018 to 30th September 2019).Lesions learntIn order to increase access to cytology services, we learnt that the federal government of Somalia should consider making cervical cytology (pap smear test) as part of routine screening policy for all sexually active women as part of health care package. An increase in sample volume may be improved through awareness campaigns and conducting community screening activities. ConclusionSomalia, a developing country has made great strides towards addressing the limited facilities for cervical cancer screening by using very limited funding. We hope that our experiences shall provide technical guidance & direction to physicians, laboratory managers and investors who wish to establish similar cervical cytology laboratories in an economically constrained low-resource setting.

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