The Experiences of Cervical Cancer Patients During Follow-Up Care in Ethiopia: A Qualitative Study

Dirar, Anteneh; Mekonnen, Wubegzier; Berhanu, Zena

doi:10.2147/cmar.s373379

Cited by 8 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 35 publications

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“…The cost of treatments also rendered some patients’ families bankrupt with others forced to sell the assets they had to cater for such costs. Similar findings of socioeconomic disruptions as a result of the disease were reported in other studies [ 14 , 15 , 21 ]. It was also revealed that the disruption imposed by cervical cancer on social and economic aspects of patients’ life was a source of constant stress, low self-esteem, and isolation [ 14 , 32 ].…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Women with cervical cancer experience dissatisfaction with healthcare services, inadequate information from healthcare providers, and poor compliance with treatment regimens [ 21 , 22 ]. Studies conducted in Ghana and Ethiopia revealed that women with cervical cancer experienced health deterioration caused by illness, psychological disturbance after receiving cancer diagnostic results, and experiencing devastating symptoms of the disease [ 15 , 21 ]. Other women experienced economic challenges (loss of working ability, loss of employment, and high medical costs) and disruption of social relationships (marriage break-up, isolation by family and community members) [ 20 , 23 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The lived experiences and caring needs of women diagnosed with cervical cancer: A qualitative study in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Chona,

Msengi,

Gosse

et al. 2023

PLoS ONE

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Background Cervical cancer continues to be a major global public health concern affecting the lives of many women and resulting in financial burdens. In 2020, cervical cancer was the seventh most commonly diagnosed cancer among all cancers worldwide and Tanzania was ranked fourth among the countries with the highest incidence rates (59.1 new cases per 100,000 women) of cervical cancer. The lived experience and caring needs of patients and their families provide insights into the psychosocial aspects of healthcare among the affected population. However, there is inadequate information concerning the lived experiences of cervical cancer patients in Tanzania and Sub-Saharan Africa in general. This study aimed to explore the lived experiences and caring needs of cervical cancer patients at Ocean Road Cancer Institute (ORCI) in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Methods A qualitative descriptive study was carried out among cervical cancer patients at ORCI in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Using a purposeful sampling technique, 12 cervical cancer patients were interviewed with the principles of saturation guiding sample size determination. A semi-structured face-to-face interview guide was employed to collect the information. A conventional content analysis approach was used to analyze data after translation with the aid of NVivo 12.0 computer software. Results Five themes emerged after data analysis: knowledge and attitude about cervical cancer, sufferings from a disease process, socio-economic disruptions, psychological problems, and sexual and reproductive concerns. Conclusion The findings of this study provide insights into the life experiences and caring needs of cervical cancer patients and call for response from healthcare stakeholders to develop and implement comprehensive and culturally consonant approaches in providing care to the affected population. More qualitative studies are required to ascertain the lived experiences of advanced cervical cancer patients and those of long-term cervical cancer survivors.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The lived experiences and caring needs of women diagnosed with cervical cancer: A qualitative study in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Chona,

Msengi,

Gosse

et al. 2023

PLoS ONE

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“…In a previous study in Ethiopia, women with cervical cancer were not satis ed with care because care professionals were not supportive and caring since they did not explain all aspects of their illness. Women expressed the importance of receiving cervical cancer information from healthcare professionals to adjust to their situation [32]. Effective and sensitive communication with health professionals is a core component of cancer care [33].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Coping strategies used by patients with cervical cancer: An explorative qualitative study at Ocean Road Cancer Institute in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Ambikile,

Msengi,

Chona

et al. 2023

Preprint

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Background Worldwide, cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer among women, especially in socioeconomically disadvantaged settings, including Tanzania. Being informed about a cervical cancer diagnosis is very stressful and triggers negative reactions in an individual. Various coping mechanisms may be employed to adapt to this condition, which may be adaptive or maladaptive and vary by race, socioeconomic status, and sociocultural group. Little is known about coping strategies employed by cervical cancer patients in Tanzania. Methods Using a purposeful sampling technique, a qualitative descriptive study was conducted at the Ocean Road Cancer Institute in Dar es Salaam to explore coping strategies used by cervical cancer patients between December 2022 and January 2023. The thematic analysis method was used to analyse data. Findings: The major themes that emerged included problem-focused coping, emotion-focused coping, social support, religious coping, and escapism. Conclusions Patients with cervical cancer used various coping strategies to live with the disease. Although most of the coping strategies used were adaptive, some were maladaptive, implying the need for continued assessment to enhance adaptive coping.

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“…Psychosexual support should address issues such as sexual distress, relationship satisfaction, and the partner's viewpoint in addition to physical sexual functioning. Moreover, it would be bene cial to provide more useful and reassuring information regarding the implications of cervical cancer for relationships and sexuality (32)(33)(34)39). Women may better handle the challenges related to sexual activity if their sexual and psychological needs are given greater consideration (27).…”

Section: Limitations the Study Andmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sexual and psychosocial experiences of women with advanced-stage cervical cancer at Tikur Anbessa Hospital

Teshome,

Yang,

Seife

et al. 2024

Preprint

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Background Cervical cancer and related treatments can result in multiple side effects that can impact sexual function. There are also psychological sequelae such as anxiety, guilt, and depression. To effectively anticipate, comprehend, and address the issues faced by cancer patients, it is crucial to conduct research on psychosocial and sexual concerns. Therefore, this study aimed to understand the sexual and psychosocial experiences of women with advanced-stage cancer. Methods and Materials: A qualitative phenomenological study was performed at the Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital Oncology Center. A total of 23 women with advanced-stage cervical cancer were selected. In-depth interviews were conducted using an interview guide. The recorded data were transcribed using verbatim approach and then translated into English. The transcribed data were then imported into the qualitative data analysis software package MAXQDA for coding and categorization. Results Several codes arose from the synthesis of the women's transcribed interviews, and these codes were subsequently grouped into three themes and subthemes. The most commonly reported sexual problems were pain during sexual intercourse, bleeding or spotting after sexual intercourse, foul smelling vaginal discharge, and diminished sexual desire. Women reported that it can be challenging for them to start these conversations with providers and that medical providers do not always provide them with information on sexual issues. Most women highlighted how important their partners' psychosocial assistance was to them during difficult times. Conclusion Women experienced numerous sexual problems after the onset of cancer symptoms and after undergoing cancer treatment. Patients with cancer will benefit from psychosocial support from their partners, families, and doctors to feel hopeful again.

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The Experiences of Cervical Cancer Patients During Follow-Up Care in Ethiopia: A Qualitative Study

Cited by 8 publications

References 35 publications

The lived experiences and caring needs of women diagnosed with cervical cancer: A qualitative study in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

The lived experiences and caring needs of women diagnosed with cervical cancer: A qualitative study in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Coping strategies used by patients with cervical cancer: An explorative qualitative study at Ocean Road Cancer Institute in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Sexual and psychosocial experiences of women with advanced-stage cervical cancer at Tikur Anbessa Hospital

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