Motivations and experiences of women who accessed “see and treat” cervical cancer prevention services in Zambia

Abstract

Background In Zambia, a country with a generalized HIV epidemic, age-adjusted cervical cancer incidence is among the highest worldwide. In 2006, the UAB-Center for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia and the Zambian Ministry of Health launched a visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA)-based “see and treat” cervical cancer prevention program in Lusaka. All services were integrated within existing government-operated primary health care facilities. Objective Study aims were to: 1) identify women's motivations for cervical screening; 2) document women's experiences with screening; and 3) describe the potentially reciprocal influences between women undergoing cervical screening and their social networks. Design & Methods Focus group discussions (FGD) and in-depth interviews (IDI) were conducted with women who accepted screening and with care providers. Low-level content analysis was performed to identify themes evoked by participants. Between September, 2009 and July, 2010, 60 women and 21 care providers participated in 8 FGD and 10 IDI. Results Women presented for screening with varying needs and expectations. A majority discussed their screening decisions and experiences with members of their social networks. Key reinforcing factors and obstacles to VIA screening were identified. Conclusions Interventions are needed to gain support for the screening process from influential family members and peers.

Barriers to utilisation of cervical cancer screening in Sub Sahara Africa: a systematic review

“…Promiscuity, unsanitary life style and evil curses were seen as some of the reasons a woman will be hesitant going for cervical screening (White et al . ). Participants in these studies also reported their fear of societal rejection as a reason affecting disclosure of early symptoms and utilisation of cervical cancer screening services.…”

“…White et al . () revealed that the gender of the care giver can be a hindrance to screening. The authors further revealed that having to undress for the procedure was a major barrier to utilisation.…”

Motivations and preferences of rural Nigerian women undergoing cervical cancer screening via visual inspection with acetic acid

“…A Medline literature search found only 2 studies in Africa on the motivations of women who underwent VIA screening, and both were carried out in Zambia in southern Africa [10,11]. The aim of the present study was therefore to evaluate the motivations and preferences of southeastern Nigerian women who underwent VIA.…”

Preference for Human Papillomavirus–Based Cervical Cancer Screening

“…5,6 Located in the outskirt of Lusaka, this government-run health center provides a wide range of preventive and curative services to the surrounding community, including cervical cancer preventive care, and HIV, maternal and child care. Cervical cancer screening is currently available every week day, free of charge.…”

“…5,6 We also conducted extensive field testing in local languages to ensure that choice questions were relevant and understood by the respondents. Because the study included low-literacy women, the number of attributes was limited to five and the maximum number of attribute options to four.…”