Women's experiences with cervical cancer screening in a colposcopy referral clinic in Cape Town, South Africa: a qualitative analysis

Autor: M H Botha, Frederick H van der Merwe, Mariette Momberg, Jennifer Moodley
Rok vydání: 2017
Předmět:
Health Knowledge
Attitudes
Practice
Time Factors
cervical cancer
Psychological intervention
Uterine Cervical Neoplasms
Health Services Accessibility
South Africa
0302 clinical medicine
Obstetrics and Gynaecology
Medicine
030212 general & internal medicine
Referral and Consultation
Early Detection of Cancer
Qualitative Research
Cervical cancer
Colposcopy
medicine.diagnostic_test
Communication
General Medicine
Focus Groups
Middle Aged
030220 oncology & carcinogenesis
Community health
Critical Pathways
Female
Thematic analysis
Papanicolaou Test
Adult
Adolescent
Waiting Lists
Referral
Young Adult
03 medical and health sciences
Patient Education as Topic
Nursing
Humans
Pap test
Developing Countries
Vaginal Smears
business.industry
Research
Patient Acceptance of Health Care
medicine.disease
Focus group
business
Zdroj: BMJ Open
ISSN: 2044-6055
Popis: Objective The aim of this study was to explore and understand women9s experience with cervical cancer screening and with the referral pathways for abnormal Papanicolau (Pap) smears. Design and setting Focus group discussions were conducted with first time colposcopy clinic attendees at a tertiary hospital colposcopy clinic in Cape Town, South Africa during November 2014. A thematic analysis was conducted to identify key themes. Initial coding categories were drawn from the interview guide. Participants 27 women participated in 4 focus group discussions. Results Participants mean age was 34 years, most did not complete secondary level education and were unemployed. Negative community opinions relating to Pap smears and colposcopy referral might deter women from seeking treatment. Having a gynaecological symptom was the most commonly cited reason for having a Pap smear. Fear of having a HIV test performed at the same time as Pap smear and low encouragement from peers, were factors identified as potential access barriers. Participants commented on insufficient or lack of information from primary providers on referral to the colposcopy clinic and concerns and apprehension during waiting periods between receiving results and the colposcopy appointment were discussed. Conclusions There is a strong and urgent need to improve current knowledge about cervical cancer and Pap smears and the necessity and benefits of timely access to screening programmes, results and treatment. Strategies such as community health education programmes and mass media interventions could be employed to disseminate cervical cancer information and address negative community perceptions. Better training and support mechanisms to equip healthcare providers with the skills to convey cervical cancer information to women are needed. The use of short message service (SMS) to deliver Pap smear results and provide patients with more information should be considered to improve waiting times for results and alleviate apprehension during waiting periods.
Databáze: OpenAIRE
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