Knowledge and Practices on Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening Methods among Female Health Care Workers: A Sri Lankan Experience

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.

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Improving primary health care workers’ knowledge of cervical cancer and visual inspection screening techniques through competency-based training: prospects for expanding coverage in developing countries

International Journal of Community Medicine and Public Health ◽

10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20201960 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 7 (5) ◽

pp. 1637

Author(s):

Ibiyemi J. Umuago ◽

Irikefe P. Obiebi ◽

Godson U. Eze ◽

Nnamdi S. Moeteke

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Cervical Cancer ◽

Primary Health Care ◽

Health Care Workers ◽

Visual Inspection ◽

Screening Methods ◽

Screening Techniques ◽

Primary Health ◽

Care Workers ◽

Competency Based

Background: Health workers in resource-poor settings have not demonstrated a comprehensive knowledge of visual staining procedures for cervical cancer screening. This study adopted competency-based training (CBT) to determine if it will improve their knowledge, and potentially expand screening coverage.Methods: A quasi-experimental (pretest-posttest) design was adopted in this study conducted among primary health care workers in Ethiope-West Local Government Area of Delta State, Southern Nigeria. The participants had a competency-based training following an initial assessment of their knowledge. Data were analysed using SPSS version 22. The main outcome measures were baseline knowledge of cervical cancer, its prevention, and visual inspection screening techniques, as well as the effect of CBT on knowledge.Results: Participants demonstrated correct knowledge of cervical anatomy/physiology and cervical cancer epidemiology/symptomatology to varying degrees, although their knowledge of visual inspection with acetic acid or Lugol’s iodine (VIA/VILI) was grossly inadequate as only half had adequate knowledge. Knowledge of prevention, performance of VIA and VILI, as well as overall knowledge, improved significantly to 100% post-intervention (p=0.002, p<0.001 and p=0.003 respectively). Mean knowledge scores drastically increased among the PHWs between pre-CBT and post-CBT. The lowest mean difference was recorded for knowledge of cervical anatomy/physiology: 17.58 (CI: 8.16 - 27.00); while the highest was for knowledge of VILI/VIA technique: 41.01 (CI: 29.40 - 52.62).Conclusions: CBT significantly improved knowledge of cervical cancer prevention and visual inspection screening methods (VIA and VILI), indicating a window of opportunity for expanding screening services at primary health care level.

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Breast and Cervical Cancer Related Practices of Female Health Care Workers at a Tertiary Hospital in Gaziantep, Turkey

Eastern Journal Of Medicine ◽

10.5505/ejm.2021.05579 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 26 (4) ◽

pp. 497-503

Author(s):

Hatice Tuba Akbayram

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Cervical Cancer ◽

Health Care Workers ◽

Tertiary Hospital ◽

Breast And Cervical Cancer ◽

Care Workers

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

Primary Health Care Research & Development ◽

10.1017/s1463423619000215 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 20 ◽

Author(s):

Anthonia O. C. Onyenwenyi ◽

Gugu Gladness Mchunu

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Cervical Cancer ◽

Cancer Screening ◽

Service Delivery ◽

Cancer Prevention ◽

Cervical Cancer Screening ◽

Visual Inspection ◽

Cervical Cancer Prevention ◽

Primary Health ◽

Care Workers

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.

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