Women's experiences with cervical cancer screening in a colposcopy referral clinic in Cape Town, South Africa: a qualitative analysis
Date
2017-1
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
BMJ Publishing Group
Abstract
Objective: The aim of this study was to explore and
understand women’s experience with cervical cancer
screening and with the referral pathways for abnormal Papanicolau (Pap) smears. Design and setting: Focus group discussions were conducted with first time colposcopy clinic attendees at a tertiary hospital colposcopy clinic in Cape Town, South Africa during November 2014. A thematic analysis was conducted to identify key themes. Initial coding categories were drawn from the interview guide.
Participants: 27 women participated in 4 focus group
discussions. Results: Participants mean age was 34 years, most did not complete secondary level education and were unemployed. Negative community opinions relating to Pap smears and colposcopy referral might deter women from seeking treatment. Having a gynaecological symptom was the most commonly
cited reason for having a Pap smear. Fear of having a
HIV test performed at the same time as Pap smear and
low encouragement from peers, were factors identified
as potential access barriers. Participants commented
on insufficient or lack of information from primary
providers on referral to the colposcopy clinic and
concerns and apprehension during waiting periods
between receiving results and the colposcopy
appointment were discussed.
Conclusions: There is a strong and urgent need to
improve current knowledge about cervical cancer and
Pap smears and the necessity and benefits of timely
access to screening programmes, results and
treatment. Strategies such as community health
education programmes and mass media interventions
could be employed to disseminate cervical cancer
information and address negative community
perceptions. Better training and support mechanisms
to equip healthcare providers with the skills to convey
cervical cancer information to women are needed. The
use of short message service (SMS) to deliver Pap
smear results and provide patients with more
information should be considered to improve waiting
times for results and alleviate apprehension during
waiting periods.
Description
CITATION: Momberg, M., Botha, M. H., Van Der
Merwe, F. H. & Moodley, J. 2017. Women’s experiences with cervical cancer screening in a colposcopy referral clinic in Cape Town, South Africa: a qualitative analysis. BMJ Open, 7(2):e013914. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2016-013914.
The original publication is available at https://bmjopen.bmj.com/
The original publication is available at https://bmjopen.bmj.com/
Keywords
Women's health services -- South Africa, Cervix uteri -- Cancer, Pap test
Citation
Momberg, M., Botha, M. H., Van Der
Merwe, F. H. & Moodley, J. 2017. Women’s experiences with cervical cancer screening in a colposcopy referral clinic in Cape Town, South Africa: a qualitative analysis. BMJ Open, 7(2):e013914. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2016-013914.