BackgroundData is needed about barriers to self-collection of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) samples and cytology among low-income, disadvantaged women living in rural areas of lower-income countries as these women are at increased risk of cervical cancer mortality.MethodsIndividual interviews (n = 29), focus groups (n = 7, 5–11 participants) and discussion groups (n = 2, 18–25 participants) were organized with women from three indigenous ethnic groups residing in rural areas in Mexico, after they were provided with free, self-sampled HPV tests. These groups are low-income, underserved by healthcare and have historically been on the receiving end of racism and social exclusion. Descriptive, qualitative content analysis was done, including two cycles of coding.ResultsInterview and focus/discussion group data indicate women had limited understanding of HPV’s role in cervical cancer etiology. They identified HPV’s existence, that cytology detects cervical cancer, the need for regular testing and that cervical cancer is sexually transmitted. Organizational barriers to clinic-based cytology included irregular supplies of disposable speculums, distance to clinics and lack of clear communication by healthcare personnel. Women considered self-collected HPV-testing easy, less embarrassing and less painful than cytology, an opportunity for self-care and most felt they understood how to take a self-sample after a 20-min explanation. Some women feared hurting themselves when taking the self-sample or that they would take the sample incorrectly, which they worried would make the test useless. Attending HPV-testing in groups facilitated use by allowing women to discuss their doubts and fears before doing self-collection of the sample or to ask other women who were the first to do the self-sampling what the experience had been like (whether it hurt and how easy it was). Lack of indoor bathrooms was a barrier to doing HPV self-sampling at home, when those homes were resource-poor (one-room dwellings).ConclusionsLow-income, indigenous Mexican women residing in rural, underserved areas identified their need for cervical cancer screening but encountered multiple barriers to cytology-based screening. They found a number of advantages of HPV self-sampled tests. Employing self-collected HPV-testing instead of cytology could resolve some but not all gender-related, organizational or technical quality-of-care issues within cervical cancer detection and control programs.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1186/s12885-017-3723-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Background: The reduction in cervical cancer mortality in developed countries has been attributed to wellorganized, population-based prevention and control programs that incorporate screening with the Papanicolaou (Pap) smear. In Mexico, there has been a decrease in cervical cancer mortality, but it is unclear what factors have prompted this reduction. Methods: Using data from national indicators, we determined the correlation between cervical cancer mortality rates and Pap coverage, birthrate, and gross national product, using a linear regression model. We determined relative risk of dying of cervical cancer according to place of residence (rural/urban, region) using a Poisson model. We also estimated Pap smear coverage using national survey data and evaluated the validity and reproducibility of Pap smear diagnosis.
The number of BC cases are increased gradually at the national level during the last three decades and high rates of CC mortality persist in marginalized areas.
Objetivo. Analizar la cobertura de la educación sexual integral (ESI) en México y describir su integralidad, homogeneidad y continuidad en cuanto a contenidos sobre salud sexual yreproductiva, autoeficacia, derechos y relaciones. Material y métodos. En una encuesta probabilística transversal con muestreo estratificado y por conglomerados, se aplicó uncuestionario sobre ESI a una muestra representativa a nivel nacional de 3 824 adolescentes de 45 escuelas de educación media superior públicas y privadas, en localidades urbanasy rurales. Resultados. El porcentaje de adolescentes que reportan recibir educación sexual integral varía dependiendo de los temas y nivel escolar. Los temas más frecuentes estánrelacionados con salud sexual y reproductiva; los menos tratados con derechos y relaciones. Los contenidos de educación sexual se trasmiten mayoritariamente durante la escuela secundaria. Conclusiones. Se requiere garantizar la integralidad, homogeneidad y continuidad de los contenidos de la ESI, asegurando que se imparta la totalidad de los temas planteados en recomendaciones nacionales e internacionales.
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