Factors associated with utilization of visual inspection with acetic acid in Nepal

Abstract

<p>Visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA) is an optional cervical cancer screening method. National guideline of Nepal has emphasized using the VIA and intended to achieve at least a 50% screening rate by 2015 but the overall coverage is only 2.4% in 2019. A cross-sectional study was conducted to identify the factors associated with the utilization of VIA screening in Bagmati Province, Nepal. A convenience sample of 400 women aged 30 to 60 years was included in the study. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to elicit information on VIA test and factors associated with it. Awareness, economic status, socio-psychological beliefs, service availability and accessibility, perception on service providers’ performance were associated with low VIA use in the province. VIA screening was associated with socio-demographic variables (χ<sup>2</sup>=29.9; df=4; p=<0.001), knowledge factors (χ<sup>2</sup>=69.29; df=3; p=<0.001) and with the perception on service providers’ performance (χ<sup>2</sup>=433.82; df=6; p=<0.001). Service providers’ approach during the VIA screening mattered to the acceptance of this service. The disparity was observed in the knowledge of cervical cancer and screening by the women. Based on this, there is a need for massive improvement on the awareness of the community about cervical disease and screening services.</p>

Knowledge and practice regarding cancer screening in Nepal: a systematic review and meta-analysis

“…All 19 studies were cross-sectional studies 5 – 10 , 13 – 25 . Most studies were published in international journals ( n =14) 5 – 9 , 13 , 15 , 17 , 18 , 20 – 24 while only five studies were published in national journals 10 , 14 , 16 , 19 , 25 13 studies were community-based 5 , 7 , 10 , 13 – 15 , 17 – 21 , 23 , 24 , while six studies were hospital-based 6 , 8 , 9 , 16 , 22 , 25 The summary of included studies is shown in Table 1 .…”

“…Most studies ( n =14) were related to cervical cancer 5 , 8 – 10 , 13 , 14 , 16 , 17 , 19 , 20 , 22 – 25 . Only three studies were related to breast cancer screening 6 , 15 , 21 .…”

“…Most of the studies (n =5) were performed in the Kathmandu district 6 , 14 – 16 , 25 followed by three studies each in the Chitwan district 7 , 8 , 22 and Kaski district 18 , 21 , 24 . Three studies included patients from more than one district 5 , 13 , 23 . The location of the studies, excluding three studies done in multiple districts, is shown in Figure 2 .…”

“…Knowledge regarding the correct age of screening was tested in five studies 8 , 9 , 14 , 22 , 24 . Data on participants who had undergone screening at least once was available in 13 studies 5 , 8 – 10 , 13 , 16 , 17 , 19 , 20 , 22 – 25 . The reported parameters of cervical cancer screening studies are shown in Figure 3 .…”

“…However, clear policy on screening frequency is lacking. Lack of awareness, ignorance, sociocultural barriers, perceived economic burden are all responsible for underutilization of the screening services 5 – 10 . We conducted this systematic review and meta-analysis to see the current situation of knowledge and practice of cancer screening.…”