Healthcare worker compliance with cervical cancer screening guidelines. An audit at district and regional level of care in the Pietermaritzburg Metropolitan area of KwaZulu-Natal.

Mbali T Makhubo,Thinagrin D Naidoo

doi:10.4102/sajhivmed.v21i1.1104

Mbali T Makhubo, Thinagrin D Naidoo

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.4102/sajhivmed.v21i1.1104

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Abstract

BackgroundIn South Africa (SA) there are screening guidelines for cervical cancer in women living with HIV (WLWH). To our knowledge there is lack of data concerning the knowledge of health care workers (HCWs) about cervical cancer screening guidelines before the initiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART) in WLWH.ObjectivesTo investigate the knowledge and familiarity of HCWs regarding cervical cancer screening guidelines in WLWH.MethodsA cross-sectional questionnaire-based study exploring compliance with cervical cancer screening guidelines before initiating ART was conducted with 85 HCWs in the antiretroviral (ARV) clinics of a district and regional hospitals in KwaZulu-Natal, SA. Data were analysed using Stata V13 and a p-value of ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant.ResultsEighty-five HCWs were included in the study. Health care workers’ responses to knowledge about cervical cancer screening in WLWH were suboptimal and revealed significant gaps. Most HCWs did not know the screening intervals of WLWH. Statistically significant associations were found between an HCW’s occupation and responses to the Likert scale questions.ConclusionAlthough the majority of HCWs were familiar with cervical cancer screening guidelines in WLWH, the study highlights that there are deficiencies in both knowledge and practice. Creating awareness among HCWs regarding the current methods of cervical cancer screening is a necessary to reduce morbidity and mortality from cervical cancer in WLWH.

Highlights

The ‘dual epidemics’ of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and cervical cancer have been responsible for the premature deaths of thousands of women in resource-constrained countries (RCCs).[1]
This study aimed to investigate the knowledge and familiarity of healthcare workers’ (HCWs) with cervical cancer guidelines in women living with HIV (WLWH) before initiating antiretroviral therapy (ART)
A total of 51.8% of the HCWs practised at a district hospital (Northdale), whereas the other half practised at the regional hospital (Edendale)

Summary

Introduction

The ‘dual epidemics’ of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and cervical cancer have been responsible for the premature deaths of thousands of women in resource-constrained countries (RCCs).[1]. Given the enormous burden of HIV and human papillomavirus (HPV) in South Africa (SA), healthcare workers’ (HCWs) knowledge of cervical screening and the management of both cervical cancer and HIV is vital to ensure the survival and well-being of women living with HIV (WLWH). The risk of HPV infection is increased, as are precancerous cervical lesions (risk increased by 2–12 times), in WLWH versus HIV-uninfected women.[2] Linking cervical screening to antiretroviral therapy(ART) treatment initiation in WLWH provides HCWs with a unique opportunity to diagnose and manage both viral infections. In South Africa (SA) there are screening guidelines for cervical cancer in women living with HIV (WLWH). To our knowledge there is lack of data concerning the knowledge of health care workers (HCWs) about cervical cancer screening guidelines before the initiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART) in WLWH

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Conclusion