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Rocha NSS, Clara BM, Luz LMM, do Rosário Oliveira Martins M. Knowledge, attitudes and practices of cervical cancer screening among female students enrolled in higher education institutions in Cabo Verde. Ecancermedicalscience 2024; 18:1689. [PMID: 38566763 PMCID: PMC10984840 DOI: 10.3332/ecancer.2024.1689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2023] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Cervical cancer (CC) is the fourth most common cancer among women in the world and the second in Africa. CC is the third most frequent cancer and the first cause of cancer-related death among women in Cabo Verde, with an estimated incidence of 17 cases per 100,000 women. The mortality rate is around 10.5% and represents one of the largest percentages of all types of cancer diagnosed in women in the country. The high mortality rate can be explained by the absence of a national screening programme and a lack of human and physical resources. This study aims to determine the level of knowledge, attitudes and practices on CC among undergraduate female students in Cabo Verde in 2020. Methods A descriptive cross-sectional study, using a self-administered structured questionnaire, was conducted in six higher education institutions (HEI) in Cabo Verde between November and December 2020. A total of 618 female undergraduate students were recruited using a simple random sampling technique. Descriptive statistical data analysis was used to report the results. Results The response rate was 96.6% (n = 618). Most of the participants, 90.6% (549), were single, with average age of 21.79 years (SD =±4). Although most of the participants had already heard about CC (94.6%), most students showed a low knowledge about this disease (86.2%). Moreover, only 9.1% reported having been screened for CC. Conclusion Most undergraduate female students enrolled in HEI in Cabo Verde have poor knowledge and unfavourable attitudes toward CC. The level of knowledge is quite unsatisfactory. Within this context, the implementation of health policies focused on human papillomavirus education, prevention strategies, and CC screening is crucial.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalina Sousa Silva Rocha
- Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologias (FCT), Universidade de Cabo Verde, Campus do Palmarejo Grande, CP 7943-010 Praia, Santiago, Cabo Verde
| | - Bicho M Clara
- Instituto de Saúde Ambiental (ISAMB), Faculdade de Medicina (FMUL), Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa 1649-008, Portugal
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Shamaun S, Jaleel R, Gull Y, Shahid A, Iqbal M, Qazi TN. Knowledge and Attitude of Cervical Cancer Screening and Vaccination in Patients Attending Gynecology Outpatient Clinic at a Tertiary Care Hospital in Pakistan. South Asian J Cancer 2023; 12:17-22. [PMID: 36851927 PMCID: PMC9966166 DOI: 10.1055/s-0042-1751093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Shamaila ShamaunBackground Cervical cancer is the third most prevalent female cancer in Pakistan; nearly 70% present at a very advanced stage of malignancy due to lack of awareness, proper screening, and vaccination. Therefore, we aimed to assess the knowledge and attitude toward screening, vaccination, and risk factors of cervical cancer in sexually active women of Pakistan. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted at the gynecology outpatient clinic of a public sector hospital in Karachi, Pakistan, from December 2021 to March 2022. We included sexually active women with exception of diagnosed cases of cervical cancer, pregnancy, vaginal bleeding, and psychological disorder. Collected data were regarding demographic characteristics, awareness regarding cervical cancer, screening, human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, and risk factors, history of cervical screening, and wiliness to opt-in for cervical screening. Results We included 226 women with a mean age of 41.25 ± 10.54 years. The mean parity level was observed to be 3.8 ± 1.95. A majority of women were housewives by profession (88.9%) and uneducated (61.9%). Only 41.2% (93) of women were aware of cervical cancer, 33.6% (76) were aware of cervical screening, and only 15.9% (36) had a history of cervical screening. Only four women (1.8%) were aware of the HPV vaccine and 31% (70) showed intention to opt-in for cervical screening. A vast majority of women (96.9%) were not aware of the risk factors of cervical cancer. Conclusion(s) We have observed poor awareness regarding cervical cancer, HPV vaccination, and cervical screening among women in our population. Lack of awareness was not restricted to a certain segment but it prevails all across the demographic in our population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shamaila Shamaun
- Dow International Medical College (DIMC)/Dow University of Health Sciences (DUHS), Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Riffat Jaleel
- Dow International Medical College (DIMC)/Dow University of Health Sciences (DUHS), Karachi, Pakistan.,Dr Ruth KM Pfau Civil Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Yasmeen Gull
- Meer Jam Ghulam Qadir Hospital Hub District, Lasbella Balochistan, Pakistan
| | - Afshan Shahid
- Dow International Medical College (DIMC)/Dow University of Health Sciences (DUHS), Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Mehreen Iqbal
- Dow International Medical College (DIMC)/Dow University of Health Sciences (DUHS), Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Tabinda Naseer Qazi
- Dow International Medical College (DIMC)/Dow University of Health Sciences (DUHS), Karachi, Pakistan
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Tiiti TA, Bogers J, Lebelo RL. Knowledge of Human Papillomavirus and Cervical Cancer among Women Attending Gynecology Clinics in Pretoria, South Africa. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19074210. [PMID: 35409892 PMCID: PMC8998542 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19074210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2022] [Revised: 02/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
Background: Cervical cancer is mainly caused by human papillomavirus (HPV). Worldwide, knowledge of HPV and cervical cancer among women is reported to be inadequate. The study aimed to assess the knowledge and awareness of HPV and cervical cancer among women attending gynecology clinics at a tertiary hospital in Pretoria, South Africa. The study also intended to identify socio-demographic factors influencing women’s knowledge about HPV and cervical cancer risk factors. Methods: This was a clinic-based analytic cross-sectional study conducted among women aged 18 years and older. Participants were enrolled in the clinic waiting rooms while waiting to be attended to by the clinician. A self-administered questionnaire to assess knowledge of HPV, cervical cancer, and risk factors for developing cervical cancer was distributed to the participants. Results: A total of 527 women aged ≥18 years and older were randomly enrolled with a 99.8% response rate. Less than half (47.1%) of the participants had been previously screened for cervical cancer using a Papanicolaou (Pap) test. Few (18.8%) women correctly mentioned cervical cancer risk factors. Unemployed women were less likely to have correct knowledge of cervical cancer causes/risk factors (OR: 0.63; 95% CI 0.40–0.97) compared to employed women. Divorced/separated/widowed women were more likely to have good HPV knowledge compared to single participants (OR: 2.74; 95% CI 1.46–5.15). Conclusion: From this study, it is evident that cervical cancer screening is very low, and women lack knowledge of HPV and cervical cancer disease symptoms and its risk factors. There is a need for policies to prioritize providing accurate information to the public to reduce cervical cancer morbidity and mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teboho Amelia Tiiti
- Department of Virological Pathology, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Pretoria 0204, South Africa;
- Laboratory of Cell Biology and Histology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, 2610 Antwerpen, Belgium;
| | - Johannes Bogers
- Laboratory of Cell Biology and Histology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, 2610 Antwerpen, Belgium;
- Algemeen Medisch Laboratorium (AML), Sonic Healthcare, 2020 Antwerpen, Belgium
- Department of Anatomical Pathology, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Pretoria 0204, South Africa
| | - Ramokone Lisbeth Lebelo
- Department of Virological Pathology, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Pretoria 0204, South Africa;
- National Health Laboratory Service, Department of Virological Pathology, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Pretoria 0204, South Africa
- South African Vaccination and Immunization Centre, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Pretoria 0204, South Africa
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +27-1521-3038
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Amponsah-Dacosta E, Blose N, Nkwinika VV, Chepkurui V. Human Papillomavirus Vaccination in South Africa: Programmatic Challenges and Opportunities for Integration With Other Adolescent Health Services? Front Public Health 2022; 10:799984. [PMID: 35174123 PMCID: PMC8841655 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.799984] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2021] [Accepted: 01/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Compared to other regions of the world, sub-Saharan Africa has made limited progress in the implementation and performance of nationwide human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination programmes. Without urgent intervention, this will serve to undermine cervical cancer elimination efforts in this region. The primary intent of this narrative review is to highlight the programmatic successes and challenges of the school-based HPV vaccination programme in South Africa since its inception in 2014, with the aim of contributing to the evidence base needed to accelerate implementation and improve programme performance in other sub-Saharan African countries. As of 2020, the proportion of adolescent girls aged 15 years who had received at least one dose of the HPV vaccine at any time between ages 9–14 years was 75%, while 61% had completed the full recommended two-dose schedule. This gives some indication of the reach of the South African HPV vaccination programme over the past 6 years. Despite this, vaccine coverage and dose completion rates have persistently followed a downward trend, slowing progress toward attaining global elimination targets. There is evidence suggesting that declining public demand for the HPV vaccine may be a result of weakening social mobilization over time, inadequate reminder and tracking systems, and vaccine hesitancy. Another concern is the disproportionate burden of HPV and HIV co-infections among adolescent girls and young women in South Africa, which predisposes them to early development of invasive cervical cancer. Moving forward, national policy makers and implementers will have to explore reforms to current age eligibility criteria and vaccine dose schedules, as well as implement strategies to support vaccine uptake among populations like out-of-school girls, girls attending private schools, and HIV positive young women. Additional opportunities to strengthen the South African HPV vaccination programme can be achieved by scaling up the co-delivery of other adolescent health services such as comprehensive sexual and reproductive health and rights education, deworming, and health screening. This calls for reinforcing implementation of the integrated school health policy and leveraging existing adolescent health programmes and initiatives in South Africa. Ultimately, establishing tailored, adolescent-centered, integrated health programmes will require guidance from further operational research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edina Amponsah-Dacosta
- Vaccines for Africa Initiative, Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- *Correspondence: Edina Amponsah-Dacosta ;
| | - Ntombifuthi Blose
- Vaccines for Africa Initiative, Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Varsetile Varster Nkwinika
- Department of Virological Pathology, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Pretoria, South Africa
- Department of Virological Pathology, South African Vaccination and Immunisation Centre (SAVIC), Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Viola Chepkurui
- Vaccines for Africa Initiative, Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
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Osei EA, Appiah S, Gaogli JE, Oti-Boadi E. Knowledge on cervical cancer screening and vaccination among females at Oyibi Community. BMC WOMENS HEALTH 2021; 21:148. [PMID: 33845829 PMCID: PMC8042702 DOI: 10.1186/s12905-021-01296-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2021] [Accepted: 04/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evans Appiah Osei
- Department of Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Valley View University, P.O. Box DT 595, Oyibi, Ghana.
| | - Stella Appiah
- Department of Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Valley View University, P.O. Box DT 595, Oyibi, Ghana
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Ducray JF, Kell CM, Basdav J, Haffejee F. Cervical cancer knowledge and screening uptake by marginalized population of women in inner-city Durban, South Africa: Insights into the need for increased health literacy. WOMEN'S HEALTH 2021; 17:17455065211047141. [PMID: 34553644 PMCID: PMC8474337 DOI: 10.1177/17455065211047141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Background: Cervical cancer in South Africa accounts for 15.85% of all female cancers and
30.29% of African female cancers, resulting in over 5000 deaths annually.
South Africa’s proposed move towards universal healthcare places emphasis on
health promotion through education and screening, but there is little data
on the baseline levels of knowledge and screening uptake regarding cervical
cancer. This study explored the levels of knowledge and screening rates of
cervical cancer among vulnerable women living in the inner-city of Durban,
South Africa. Methods: A mixed-method study was conducted within the context of a Women’s Health
outreach initiative. Data were collected from women attending the outreach
(n = 109), many of whom were from marginalized
communities. A pre-intervention survey was used to collect the data. This
was followed by cervical cancer education sessions and the opportunity for a
free Pap smear. Results: Knowledge of cervical cancer was low (<25%) and only a third of the women
had previously been screened. After the educational sessions, 64% of women
(n = 70) took advantage of the opportunity for Pap
smears, with many expressing the need for wider cervical cancer education,
screening centres and support groups. Only 20% of the Pap smears were normal
(n = 14). Half of the women tested positive for
infections (n = 36; 51.4%), and a small proportion
(n = 8; 11.4%) tested positive for human papilloma
virus. Abnormal cervical intra-epithelial neoplasia (CIN1 and CIN 2) were
also detected in this population (n = 12; 17.1%). Conclusion: Cervical cancer knowledge and screening among vulnerable women in Durban,
South Africa, is inadequate, especially considering the high levels of
abnormality found in the Pap smears. Education drives, accompanied with the
provision of free testing, are required. Community health outreach
initiatives in collaboration with non-government organizations set in
accessible locations could be a possible course of action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer F Ducray
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa
| | - Colette M Kell
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa
| | - Jyotika Basdav
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa
| | - Firoza Haffejee
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa
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The role of miRNAs in the invasion and metastasis of cervical cancer. Biosci Rep 2019; 39:BSR20181377. [PMID: 30833362 PMCID: PMC6418402 DOI: 10.1042/bsr20181377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2018] [Revised: 02/18/2019] [Accepted: 03/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Cervical cancer (CC) with early metastasis of the primary tumor results in poor prognosis and poor therapeutic outcomes. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small, noncoding RNA molecules that play a substantial role in regulating gene expression post-transcriptionally and influence the development and progression of tumors. Numerous studies have discovered that miRNAs play significant roles in the invasion and metastasis of CC by affecting specific pathways, including Notch, Wnt/β-catenin, and phosphoinositide-3 kinase (PI3K)-Akt pathways. miRNAs also effectively modulate the process of epithelial–mesenchymal transition. Many studies provide new insights into the role of miRNAs and the pathogenesis of metastatic CC. In this review, we will offer an overview and update of our present understanding of the potential roles of miRNAs in metastatic CC.
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