Title : Women’s perception of cervical cancer screening in makhuduthamaga sub-district, sekhukhune district, Limpopo Province
Abstract:
Introduction: Cervical cancer is said to be a burden in developing countries and commonly detected through symptoms at a later invasive stages. South Africa has therefore instituted a screening policy in the public sector for women ages between 30 and 70 but cannot meet the goals as women continue to die of cervical cancer.
Aetiology: Progression of cervical cancer occurs slowly over years. The increased risks are further associated with low socioeconomic status, early sexual activity (before 17 years of age), multiple sexual partners, infection with human papillomavirus (HPV), immunosuppression and smoking.
Statement of the Research Problem: The researcher discovered that a high number of women die of cervical cancer in the hospital that she worked, admitted at an advanced stage of cervical cancer regardless of having clinics in their area where cervical cancer screening services are offered free of charge which posed a concern.
Intervention Campaign: Researcher conducted cervical cancer screening campaigns in ten (10) fixed and two (2) mobile clinics of Makhuduthamaga sub-district from July to December 2012.
Research purpose: To establish women’s awareness, knowledge and empowerment about the importance of cervical cancer screening.
Research Methodology: Qualitative method was used.
Sampling and Data Collection: Random sampling was used. Purposive systematic random sampling was applied for selection of available women between the ages 30 and 70 at the clinic until data saturation occurred.
Findings: Findings revealed inadequate knowledge with regard to cervical cancer screening.
Conclusion: A need for intensified health education and campaigns conducted proved better results.
Audience Take Away:
Audience will be able to encourage community for cervical cancer screening through daily intensified specific topics of health education which includes:
- Stages of cervical cancer
- Signs and symptoms of cervical cancer,
- The importance of screening and
- The danger of not screening for cervical cancer.
- Audience will be able to see the need of conducting cervical cancer screening campaigns in their clinics to motivate women to screen.
- Audience will have increased number of women screening for cervical cancer for early diagnosis of cervical cancer thus reducing maternal mortality.
- The study will provide a solution to the high mortality caused by cervical cancer through early diagnosis and management.
Will it improve the accuracy of a design, or provide new information to assist in a design problem? List all other benefits.
- Conducting mini researches and cervical cancer screening campaigns in clinics could assist nurses to identify the needs of women with regard to cervical cancer.
- Inclusion of the listed specific topics during health education could increase the uptake of cervical cancer screening.
