Intercultural and participative strategy for prevention of cervical cancer in indigenous people

Abstract

Issue Decline in cervical cancer (CC) worldwide is attributed to coverage of screening programs, but there are barriers to achieve universal care and adherence, such as geographical accessibility, language, lack of knowledge and shame for the procedure. Description In indigenous populations barriers are stronger due to beliefs, customs and language. In multi-ethnic countries, it is necessary to use public health strategies that allow approaching communities by respecting their culture. This work proposed a strategy that respects cultures, strengthens community self-management and give sustainability to a CC prevention program. A study of Participatory Action Research with intercultural approach was done with five ethnic groups in a reserve of Colombian Amazon. It was approved by Research Ethics Committee, indigenous authorities and participating women. Indigenous female leaders participated in all phases of the project: 1) Training in qualitative research, ethics and CC; 2)ethnographic research for identifying beliefs and practices on sexuality, gender relations and attitudes towards western medicine and cytology; 3)educational campaign in ancestral languages; 4)training in CC prevention program to promote adherence, sustainability and self-management. Preliminary Results No beliefs or practices were found that could be negatively affected by the CC western screening program. Women's attitudes towards cytology are positive as long as it is carried out by female professionals, accompanied by female indigenous leaders and speaking their own languages. Lessons Womeńs leadership and reflection on health and prevention of CC were strengthened. Indigenous identity was reinforced and the gap in domination relationships by western culture reduced. A favorable setting for CC screening program was built with a culturally safe practice. In a few months screening campaign will start and it is expected that women feel more interested in their own health and comfortable to attend. Key messages Intercultural health prevention programs may be successful when focus on culturally safe practices through the involvement of local indigenous leaders. Cytology perception is positive in indigenous women as long as it is carried out by female professionals, accompanied by female indigenous leaders and speaking their own language.