Factors that contribute to delay in seeking cervical cancer diagnosis and treatment among women in Malawi

Abstract

Cervical cancer is a curable disease if diagnosed early. However, many women in Malawi seek treatment when the disease has reached inoperable stage. This study was conducted to explore factors that contribute to delay in seeking early diagnosis and treatment of cervical cancer among women in Malawi. The study was exploratory and utilized qualitative data collection and analysis method. In-depth interviews were conducted using a semi-structured interview guide on a purposive sample of 24 women who were diagnosed of cervical cancer at the gynaecological wards of Zomba and Queen Elizabeth Central Hospitals in Malawi between July and September, 2011. Thematic content analysis was used to analyze the qualitative data. Two major themes (individual and health facility) emerged from the participants’ narratives as factors that contributed to their delay in seeking early diagnosis and treatment. The individual factors included; limited knowledge on symptoms and signs and limited financial resources. The health facilities factors included; limited accessibility and unavailability of cancer screening facilities in the health centres. Results show that there is a need to strengthen the screening of cervical cancer among women in the country. In addition, there is a need to create community awareness on the signs and symptoms of cervical cancer and the merits of seeking early diagnosis and treatment

Knowledge, attitude and practice for cervical cancer prevention and control among women of childbearing age in Hossana Town, Hadiya zone, Southern Ethiopia: Community-based cross-sectional study

“…The women’s knowledge and attitude about the disease is influenced by socio demographic factors and the availability and accessibility of health services. In turn, screening behavior is a complex outcome of many factors operating at individual, family, and community levels [13]. …”

Determinants of Patient Delay in Seeking Diagnosis and Treatment among Moroccan Women with Cervical Cancer

“…However, in developing countries the disease incidence remains high. Cervical cancer is the most curable form of any human cancer if detected early at the precancerous stage [2, 3] but the challenge is that 80% of women in the developing countries seek medical care after they have developed signs and symptoms [4]. One of the most important prognostic factors for cervical cancer is how early the disease is when detected and how far it has spread.…”

Assessing the Acceptability, Feasibility, and Effectiveness of a Tablet-Based Cervical Cancer Educational Intervention

“…Misconceptions addressed by the program had been identified from the published literature [5–6] and from formative focus groups with the target population. The content was developed in English, reviewed by a cervical cancer expert outside the primary study team, and translated into Chichewa.…”