Conceptualization of cervical cancer and screening experiences

Medicilon offers fully integrated pharmaceutical services for the global scientific community. We focus on providing an exceptional client-centered experience and advancing the drug discovery process.

Email: Marketing@medicilon.com.cn Website: www.medicilon.com

Invasive cervical cancer (ICC) is the second most commonly diagnosed malignancy worldwide, and approximately 85% of the disease burden occurs in underdeveloped countries. A growing body of evidence has demonstrated that women can be effectively screened and clinically managed for ICC using non-cytological modalities. In 2006, the Zambian government launched a cervical screening program within primary health clinics using visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA) coupled with same-day treatment via cryotherapy. The objective of this dissertation was to determine whether the VIA compound screening program is responsive to the needs and concerns of Zambian women in an effort to improve screening uptake, and for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positive women who are potentially subject to increased ICC screening and treatment, increase long-term retention in ICC preventative services.

Understanding women’s disease conceptualization, associated causal beliefs, and perceived disease risk provides a basis for care providers to formulate or refine patientcentered communications regarding screening benefits and risks. A qualitative study design was employed using focus group discussions (FGD) and in-depth interviews (IDI) with women who accepted to undergo VIA screening and with care providers to elicit women’s conceptualization of ICC, including perceived disease risk. Additionally, women discussed their primary motivation for screening, their screening preferences, and the influence of social networks on their decision for cervical screening. Between September, 2009 and July, 2010, a total of 60 women eligible for screening, 10 screening nurses, and 11 lay peer educators participated in 8 FGD and 10 IDI.

Common perceived symptoms of ICC included prolonged bleeding, stomach pain, and weakness. Illness causation incorporated both traditional and biomedical elements, and departed from other lay causation models worldwide. Few women appeared to understand the concept of precancerous cervical lesions. Women were motivated to undergo cervical screening for numerous reasons, often prompted by peers and immediate family members. Women clearly articulated their screening preferences. The decision to undergo cervical screening was largely influenced by spouses, friends, and women who had already undergone screening. Interventions to formally integrate family members, particularly spouses, in the compound screening process and encourage peers to serve as screening ‘role models’ are warranted.