Ambiguous bodies, uncertain diseases: knowledge of cervical cancer in Papua New Guinea

Kelly‐Hanku, Angela; Ase, Sophie; Fiya, Voletta; Toliman, Pamela J; Aeno, Herick; Mola, Glen; Kaldor, John; Vallely, Lisa M; Vallely, Andrew

doi:10.1080/13557858.2017.1283393

“…We found that women regarded themselves at risk concerning STIs; however, they had poor understanding of the purpose of CCS. In concurrence with other studies, our respondents considered CCS as an intervention for STI management (27,(56)(57)(58). A misconception was found concerning the role of cleanliness and hygiene to prevent STIs (HPV infection specifically) and cervical cancer, and similar findings have been reported by other studies (33,52).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 89%

Low level of awareness among Iranian women concerning cervical cancer and screening: the role of knowledge, risk perceptions and cues to action

Asl

¹

,

Osch

²

,

Vries

³

et al. 2020

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Background Iran has a low incidence of, but a higher rate of death from, cervical cancer (CC). The country is in the process of implementing an organized screening program including HPV testing and cytology. Studies show high drop-out in continued testing among eligible women. This qualitative study aimed to explore women’s awareness regarding CC and CC testing, and the role of knowledge, perceived risk and cues to action in this process. Methods We recruited 81 women aged between 25-65 years, who participated in 15 focus group discussions (FGDs) and two in-depth interviews in Tehran, the capital of Iran. Data were acquired through 11 open-ended questions and 32 related probe questions. All interviews were transcribed and independently analyzed by two researchers (Kappa and agreement testing respectively: 0.77, 97.11%). Results Coded texts were categorized under three themes and 13 subthemes. The three thematic areas referred to knowledge, cues to action and perceived risks regarding cervical cancer and screening. Results showed that women had inadequate and unspecified knowledge about cervical cancer and screening, compounded by misconceptions regarding infection and cancer prevention measures. Social and cultural barriers hindered proper communication between health system/providers and clients, and within communities on subjects related to cervical cancer and screening. Perceived risk of getting CC was low due to insufficient knowledge regarding the causes of cancer, difficulty in differentiating between cancer and sexually transmitted infections, and the absence of visible symptoms. Conclusions The results indicate a strong need to invest more efforts to improve health education and communication in the current national health program to promote awareness of the need to screen for CC, through, for example, establishing correct knowledge and risk perceptions among women. In addition, this intervention should address women’s social environment in order to prevent misconceptions being communicated to women.

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“…We found that women regarded themselves at risk concerning STIs; however, they had poor understanding of the purpose of CCS. In concurrence with other studies, our respondents considered CCS as an intervention for STI management (25,(50)(51)(52). A misconception was found concerning the role of cleanliness and hygiene to prevent STIs (HPV infection specifically) and cervical cancer, and similar findings have been reported by other studies (31,46).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 89%

Low level of awareness among Iranian women concerning cervical cancer and screening: the role of knowledge, risk perceptions and cues to action

Asl

¹

,

Osch

²

,

Vries

³

et al. 2019

Preprint

0

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background Iran has a low incidence of, but a higher rate of death from, cervical cancer (CC). The country is in the process of implementing an organized screening program including HPV testing and cytology. Studies show high drop-out in continued testing among eligible women. This qualitative study aimed to explore women’s awareness regarding CC and CC testing, and the role of knowledge, perceived risk and cues to action in this process. Methods We recruited 81 women aged between 25-65 years, who participated in 15 focus group discussions (FGDs) and two in-depth interviews in Tehran, the capital of Iran. Data were acquired through 11 open-ended questions and 32 related probe questions. All interviews were transcribed and independently analyzed by two researchers (Kappa and agreement testing respectively: 0.77, 97.11%). Results Coded texts were categorized under three themes and 13 subthemes. The three thematic areas referred to knowledge, cues to action and perceived risks regarding cervical cancer and screening. Results showed that women had inadequate and unspecified knowledge about cervical cancer and screening, compounded by misconceptions regarding infection and cancer prevention measures. Social and cultural barriers hindered proper communication between health system/providers and clients, and within communities on subjects related to cervical cancer and screening. Perceived risk of getting CC was low due to insufficient knowledge regarding the causes of cancer, difficulty in differentiating between cancer and sexually transmitted infections, and the absence of visible symptoms. Conclusions The results indicate a strong need to invest more efforts to improve health education and communication in the current national health program to promote awareness of the need to screen for CC, through, for example, establishing correct knowledge and risk perceptions among women. In addition, this intervention should address women’s social environment in order to prevent misconceptions being communicated to women.

show abstract

“…We found that women regarded themselves at risk concerning STIs; however, they had poor understanding of the purpose of CCS. In concurrence with other studies, our respondents considered CCS as an intervention for STI management (27,(57)(58)(59). A misconception was found concerning the role of cleanliness and hygiene to prevent STIs (HPV infection speci cally) and cervical cancer, and similar ndings have been reported by other studies (33,53).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 89%

The role of knowledge, risk perceptions and cues to action among Iranian women concerning cervical cancer and screening: A qualitative exploration

Asl

¹

,

Osch

²

,

Vries

³

et al. 2020

Preprint

0

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background Iran has a low incidence of, but a higher rate of death from, cervical cancer (CC). The country is in the process of implementing an organized screening program including HPV testing and cytology. Studies show high drop-out in continued testing among eligible women. This qualitative study aimed to explore women’s awareness regarding CC and CC testing, and the role of knowledge, perceived risk, and cues to action in this process.Methods In a qualitative study based on the Framework Method we recruited 81 women aged between 25-65 years, who participated in 15 focus group discussions (FGDs) and two in-depth interviews in Tehran, the capital of Iran. Interviewees were selected purposefully from households in different socioeconomic classes until data saturation, during January to May 2015. Data were acquired through 11 open-ended questions and 32 related probe questions. All interviews were transcribed and independently analyzed by two researchers (Kappa and agreement testing respectively: 0.77, 97.11%).Results Coded texts were categorized under three themes and 13 subthemes. The three thematic areas referred to knowledge, cues to action and perceived risks regarding cervical cancer and screening. Results showed that women had limited and unspecified knowledge about cervical cancer and screening, compounded by misconceptions regarding infection and cancer prevention measures. Social and cultural barriers hindered proper communication between health system/providers and clients, and within communities on subjects related to cervical cancer and screening. Perceived risk of getting CC was low because of overestimating the role of hereditary factors for CC, difficulty in differentiating between cancer and sexually transmitted infections, and the absence of visible symptoms.Conclusions The results indicate a strong need to invest more efforts to improve health education and communication in the current national health program to promote awareness of the need to screen for CC, through, for example, establishing correct knowledge and risk perceptions among women. In addition, this intervention should address women’s social environment in order to prevent misconceptions being communicated to women.

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Ambiguous bodies, uncertain diseases: knowledge of cervical cancer in Papua New Guinea

Cited by 19 publications

References 32 publications

Low level of awareness among Iranian women concerning cervical cancer and screening: the role of knowledge, risk perceptions and cues to action

Low level of awareness among Iranian women concerning cervical cancer and screening: the role of knowledge, risk perceptions and cues to action

Low level of awareness among Iranian women concerning cervical cancer and screening: the role of knowledge, risk perceptions and cues to action

The role of knowledge, risk perceptions and cues to action among Iranian women concerning cervical cancer and screening: A qualitative exploration

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