A qualitative study of cervical cancer and cervical cancer screening awareness among nurses in Ghana

Role and knowledge of nurses in the management of non-communicable diseases in Africa: A scoping review

BACKGROUND

31.4 million people in low- and middle-income countries die from chronic diseases annually, particularly in Africa. To address this, strategies such as task-shifting from doctors to nurses have been proposed and have been endorsed by the World Health Organization as a potential solution; however, no comprehensive review exists describing the extent of nurse-led chronic disease management in Africa.

AIMS

This study aimed to provide a thorough description of the current roles of nurses in managing chronic diseases in Africa, identify their levels of knowledge, the challenges, and gaps they encounter in this endeavor.

METHODS

We performed a scoping review following the key points of the Cochrane Handbook, and two researchers independently realized each step. Searches were conducted using five databases: MEDLINE, PyscINFO, CINAHL, Web of Science, and Embase, between October 2021 and April 2023. A descriptive analysis of the included studies was conducted, and the quality of the studies was assessed using the Downs and Black Scale.

RESULTS

Our scoping review included 111 studies from 20 African countries, with South Africa, Nigeria, and Ghana being the most represented. Findings from the included studies revealed varying levels of knowledge. Nurses were found to be actively involved in managing common chronic diseases from diagnosis to treatment. Facilitating factors included comprehensive training, close supervision by physicians, utilization of decision trees, and mentorship. However, several barriers were identified, such as a shortage of nurses, lack of essential materials, and inadequate initial training.

CONCLUSION

There is significant potential for nurses to enhance the screening, diagnosis, and treatment of chronic diseases in Africa. Achieving this requires a combination of rigorous training and effective supervision, supported by robust policies. To address varying levels of knowledge, tailored training programs should be devised. Further research is warranted to establish the effectiveness of nurse-led interventions on population health outcomes.

Nurses and doctors 's awareness and knowledge towards treatment and care of cervical cancer patients: a cross-sectional study

AIM

The present study aimed to investigate healthcare professionals' perceptions and experiences in caring for cervical cancer patients. The present study was also designed to assess the healthcare professionals' attitudes toward cervical cancer screening and its prevention.

METHODS

A cross-sectional quantitative descriptive study was conducted, and 540 participants (240 nurses and 300 doctors), from different hospitals of Pakistan have been selected and interviewed.

RESULTS

Data was collected using structured questionnaires and SPSS was used to statistically analyze the data. Participants in the present study are questioned with respect to age, gender, and work experience. The mean age of the participants is 35 years. Among them, 41% of participants are < 35 years of age and 59% are > 35 years of age. In the case of gender, 22% of participants are males and 78% are females. 47% of the participants have work experience < 20 years and 53% have work experience > 20 years. Data from the present study showed that most of the nurses are less educated (basic education of middle and matric degree) with a simple diploma in nursing and midwifery. Nurses and doctors do not have any knowledge/experience of the patient's psychological counselling. Participants are also questioned with respect to HPV vaccination, 39% of nurses and 62% of doctors are vaccinated. The difference in vaccination frequency of participants was observed as statistically significant (p < 0.0001). In the case of treatment modalities, doctors have statistically more knowledge about the pap smear (p < 0.0001), cervical biopsy (p < 0.0001), colposcopy (p < 0.0001), and visual application after acetic acid application (p < 0.0001) compared to nurses. Data analysis showed that Pap smear was performed significantly higher in married females compared to unmarried (p < 0.0001).

CONCLUSION

our study provides a comprehensive and in-depth perspective of the nurses and doctors for cervical cancer patients. Cervical cancer prevalence is increasing due to inadequate knowledge and awareness among healthcare professionals. Improvement can be brought about by the regular use of treatment modalities in unmarried females also.

Determination of the Relationship Between Gynecological Cancer Awareness and Fear of Cancer in Women Using Social Media and the Affecting Factors

BACKGROUND

Understanding the relationship between fear of gynecological cancer and awareness of cancer in women may help oncology nurses increase women's participation in gynecological cancer screening.

OBJECTIVE

To examine the relationship between women's gynecological cancer awareness and cancer fear using social media and the affecting factors.

METHODS

In a descriptive and cross-sectional study design, online data were collected from 1231 women aged 20 to 69 years through social media using the Descriptive Information Form, the Gynecological Cancer Awareness Scale (GCAS), and the Cancer Worry Scale (CWS). Analytic tests included paired t tests, analysis of variance, and post hoc correlations and structural equation modeling.

RESULTS

The women's total mean GCAS score was above moderate (152 ± 17), and their mean CWS score was high (19 ± 5). There was no relationship between the GCAS and CWS mean scores. Characteristics of participants with high awareness of gynecological cancer were being young, having a high educational level, having children, living in a province, having a history of cancer or family history of cancer, and having regular gynecological examinations, Papanicolaou smear tests, breast self-examination, and vulva examinations (P < .05). The fear of cancer was higher in women with children, a family history of cancer, and regular gynecological examination behaviors (P < .05).

CONCLUSION

Awareness of gynecological cancer was not significantly statistically associated with fear of cancer. Certain sociodemographic and gynecological characteristics are associated with awareness of gynecological cancer and/or fear of cancer.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

Oncology nurses may plan individualized or large-scale educational events that may make use of social media to enhance accurate awareness of gynecological cancer and related examinations in women.

Factors associated with the intention to undergo Pap smear testing in the rural areas of Indonesia: a health belief model

Purposes

This study aimed to understand the influence of health beliefs, demographic factors, and health characteristics on the intention to undergo Pap smear testing among women in rural areas of Indonesia.

Methods

A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted and 687 married women participated in the study. A convenience sampling was applied to recruit the participants from community health centres in a rural region in Indonesia. Self-reported data using the Health Beliefs Model Scale for Cervical Cancer and Pap Smear Test was collected to assess the health beliefs. Independent t-tests, simple logistic regressions, and a hierarchical logistic regression with 3 steps were run. Statistical significance for analysis was set at p < 0.05.

Results

The mean age of the participants was 42 years (SD = 8.4). Among the participants, 81% of the women had never undergone a Pap smear test, and 61% (n = 422) of the women reported a high intention of receiving a Pap smear test. Income and education Health beliefs regarding Pap smear testing were different between women who had low and high intentions to undergo Pap smear testing. Health beliefs, such as perceived benefits, severity, barriers to Pap smear testing, and health motivation for a Pap smear test were associated with the intention to undergo Pap smear testing among rural Indonesian women. Overall, the hierarchical multiple regression with 3 steps containing demographic, health characteristics, and health belief variables accounted for 31% variance of the intention to undergo Pap smear test among the Indonesian rural women.

Conclusions

Low screening rates of cervical cancer and high intentions to do the screening exist among rural Indonesian women. Health beliefs significantly affect the rural women’s intention of Pap smear testing in Indonesia.

Cervical cancer is a leading cancer among women and a significant cause of mortality for females around the world, including Indonesia. Globally, the screening rate for cervical cancer among women in rural areas remains low. In Indonesia, the incidence and the mortality from cervical cancer remain high compared to other female cancers. The Indonesian government has offered a free Pap smear screening to women since 2014, but the screening rate is still low, around 28%.

A total of 687 married women were included in the study. Approximately 80% of Indonesian women living in rural areas have never undergone a Pap smear test, and 60% of women reported a high intention of receiving a Pap smear test. Education, income, previous experience of Pap smear testing, a friend with a history of cervical cancer, perceived severity, perceived benefits, perceived barriers, and health motivations were significantly associated with the intention of Pap smear testing. Low screening rates of cervical cancer and high intentions toward the cervical cancer screening exist among rural Indonesian women. Health beliefs significantly affect the women’s intention of Pap smear testing.

"I Just Went for the Screening, But I Did Not Go for the Results". Utilization of Cervical Cancer Screening and Vaccination among Females at Oyibi Community

Background:

Cervical cancer screening and vaccination practices is reported to have low coverage in most developing countries. It has been reported that most women are aware of cervical cancer screening and vaccination worldwide. Nevertheless, the rate at which women participate in cervical cancer screening and vaccination was found to be low both locally and internationally. Consequently, in sub-Saharan Africa, cervical cancer screening programs have poor coverage. The aim of this study was to explore the practices of cervical cancer screening and vaccination among females at Oyibi community.

Methods:

The researchers employed a qualitative exploratory design to recruit 35 participants put into five Focus Group Discussions (FGDs). Five FGDs were formed with seven (7) members in each group. The members were purposely recruited. The sample size was based on data saturation. Data was retrieved using a semi-structured interview guide. The researchers served as moderators in the group.

Results:

Two (2) main themes with Eight (8) subthemes were generated from the data analysis. The themes were; (cervical cancer screening and vaccination practices), and (perceived benefits of cervical cancer screening and vaccination). The subthemes that emerged were as follows: types of cervical screening and vaccination done by participants, experiences during cervical cancer screening, experiences during cervical cancer vaccination, decision to go for cervical cancer screening and vaccination, willingness to recommend cervical cancer screening and vaccination to other women, early detection of cervical cancer through early screening, benefits of cervical cancer vaccination, and willingness to receive cervical cancer vaccine. The study also revealed that most of the women who had done the screening and vaccination were young (19-29 years).

Conclusion:

The results from the study indicated that the participants’ utilization of cervical cancer screening and vaccination were poor although they were conscious of the benefits of cervical cancer screening and vaccination and were willing to recommend it to their relatives and their loved ones.

Knowledge on cervical cancer screening and vaccination among females at Oyibi Community

Background

Awareness about cervical cancer screening and vaccination in the developed countries are high as compared to the developing countries. Sixty to eighty percent (60–80%) of the women who develop cervical cancer in sub-Saharan Africa live in the rural areas with inadequate awareness of cervical cancer screening. However, cervical cancer knowledge remained a significant direct predictor of screening behaviors. The study therefore aim to explore the Knowledge on Cervical Cancer Screening and Vaccination among females at Oyibi Community.

Methods

A qualitative exploratory design was employed to purposively recruit 35 participants who were made up of 7 members in a group forming 5 Focus Group discussions in all. Data was retrieved using a semi-structured interview guide.

Results

The study revealed two main themes with 7 subthemes. The two main themes were cervical cancer screening and vaccination knowledge and cervical cancer vaccination effectiveness and cost. The subthemes were; knowledge on cervical cancer screening types, knowledge about cervical cancer screening and vaccination centers, knowledge about how cancer screening is performed, knowledge about cervical cancer vaccination, cervical cancer screening and vaccination sources of information, knowledge about the effectiveness of cervical cancer vaccination and awareness about cervical cancer screening cost and vaccination cost.

Conclusion

Ghanaian women are increasingly becoming aware of cervical cancer, nevertheless low knowledge on screening and vaccination of cervical cancer, and effectiveness was detected with high awareness about the screening and vaccination centers. There is therefore the need for heightened sensitization regarding cervical cancer screening and vaccination in rural communities to help reduce misconceptions and increase patronage rate.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12905-021-01296-3.

Clinical nurses' awareness and caring experiences for patients with cervical cancer: A qualitative study

To determine the degree to which nurses are aware of cervical cancer and to describe nurses' experiences of caring for patients with cervical cancer. To promote quality of nursing care of cervical cancer, we need to explore their perceptions and nursing experience in doing cervical-cancer care. This study was a qualitative descriptive design. Interviews were conducted with 14 registered nurses. The interviews were audiotaped, transcribed and analyzed. Content analysis was performed. Fourteen nurses who had been working at wards and cancer education centers were recruited in this study. Nine key themes emerged from three categories such as nurses' awareness of cervical cancer, awareness of cervical cancer patient and caring experience. Nurses expressed fear of cervical cancer and helplessness in the face of a life-threatening prognosis. Nurses stated that they might have prejudice about cervical cancer, since it is caused by a sexually transmitted disease. They also recalled that patients with cervical cancer were more sensitive and demanding. Our findings provide a comprehensive and in-depth perspective in understanding the experience of caring for cervical cancer patients. Clinical nurses showed complex emotional reactions to cervical cancer, and expressed prejudice against the sex life of cervical-cancer patients. More education is required to ensure that clinical nurses can provide a nurse-led intervention with patients by managing nurses' fear, prejudice, and the care burden.