Uptake Of Cervical Screening Services Research Articles

A home-based educational intervention for cervical cancer screening services in rural Uganda

Background/Aims Despite the relative ease of prevention, the incidence of cervical cancer in Uganda is increasing and there is low uptake of screening services. One of the main contributing factors to low uptake is a lack of awareness. Targeting this barrier may help increase uptake and reduce the burden of cervical cancer. This study evaluated the effect of an educational intervention on knowledge, perception, intent to use and use of cervical cancer screening among women in rural southwestern Uganda. Methods This pre-test, post-test study was conducted with 150 women from a village in southwest Uganda, selected for its low uptake of cervical screening services. The home-based educational intervention consisted of a lecture and a discussion on cervical cancer and screening services. Data on women's knowledge, perceptions and use of screening services were captured at baseline and 7 weeks after the intervention, using a questionnaire. Chi-squared tests and paired sample t-tests were used to assess differences in participants' knowledge, perception and use of screening services. Results At baseline, participants had low scores for awareness, attitude and use of cervical screening. The intervention significantly improved knowledge (P<0.001), perception (P<0.001) and screening rate (P<0.001). Some participants' unwillingness to screen after the intervention was associated with marital status or religion. Conclusions The home-based health education intervention was effective in improving knowledge and perception of cervical cancer, and use of screening services. Use of this education intervention in rural regions of Uganda could be an effective strategy to increase use of screening services and thus improve early detection and prevention of cervical cancer.

Determinants of cervical screening services uptake among 18-49 year old women seeking services at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital, Kisumu, Kenya.

BackgroundKenyan women aged ≥15 years are at risk of developing cervical cancer. Currently, cervical cytology reduces cervical cancer incidence, since it allows for early diagnosis and treatment. Uptake of cervical screening services is a priority research area in Kenya. Central to the success of any screening programme is its ability to identify, reach out and screen the defined target population. Cervical screening coverage in Kenya is currently at 3.2%. In Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) in Nyanza, the number screened for cervical cancer is low (averagely 3/day). Thus the current study sought to identify factors influencing uptake of cervical screening services at the facility.MethodsIn a cross-sectional study, knowledge, perceptions and cues for action associated with self-reported cervical screening uptake were explored. The targeted population (n = 424), purposively selected were women of child-bearing age (18–49 years) visiting JOOTRH. Data on socio-demographic status (age, level of education, marital status, job status, income level), knowledge of cervical cancer, perceptions on severity and susceptibility to the disease were collected using self-administered structured questionnaires. Statistical significance of differences in proportions were determined by chi-square analyses while logistic regression analyses were used to identify determinants of self-reported uptake of the service.ResultsSelf-reported screening uptake was 17.5%. There was a strong positive association between age (P < 0.0001), level of education (P < 0.0001) and income levels (P = 0.005) with the uptake of the service. Knowledge level on the signs and symptoms of cervical cancer was an important determinant for being screened for cervical cancer (P < 0.0001). Furthermore, those who said they didn’t know about the disease (OR, 26.84, 95% CI, 6.07-118.61, P < 0.0001) or were not aware about susceptibility to it (OR, 2.37, 95% CI, 1.10-5.08, P = 0.02) had a higher likelihood of not being screened. On cues for action, those who attended the child welfare clinic were more likely to be screened (OR, 2.31, 95% CI, 1.17-3.93, P = 0.03).ConclusionKnowledge, perception of higher susceptibility and attending child welfare clinic are key determinants of self-reported uptake of cervical screening. Increasing knowledge, enhancing health education and providing free services may increase uptake among women population in such settings.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/1472-6963-14-335) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Female sexual health problems in a drug dependency unit.

The Government of the United Kingdom has produced a strategic plan called the Health of the Nation aimed at achieving better health in key areas including a reduction in rates of unwanted pregnancies, sexually transmitted diseases and cervical cancer. Conventional health care systems fail some groups with special needs. This cross-sectional interview study was undertaken to determine the level and type of contraceptive use, and the attitudes of female opiate abusers to the use and availability of contraceptives and cytology services. The subjects were 201 opiate-dependent women enrolled in a methadone maintenance programme in a large drug dependency unit: 169 (84.5%) were sexually active and 65 (44.2%) of non-pregnant sexually active women did not use a contraceptive method. Thirty-six (43.9%) of those using a contraceptive were using condoms, with which the majority were dissatisfied. Sixty-one (30.3%) had never had a cervical cytology smear and of those who had, 21.4% reported an abnormal result. The contraceptive practices and uptake of cervical screening services by the women studied are inadequate, reflecting poor use of conventional health care services. In addition to providing information on safer sexual practices, particularly promotion of condom use, we suggest that drug dependency units should expand their role to provide educational and preventative services to include aspects of women's health.