International Journal of Sport, Exercise and Health Research 2017; 1(1): 12-17 ; DOI:10.31254/sportmed.1103
Visual inspection with acetic acid screening for cervical cancer: perceptions of Zimbabwean women: A case of Kwekwe hospital
1. Health Sciences Lecturer, Zimbabwe Open University, Harare, Zimbabwe
2. Midwife Charge Nurse, Kwekwe General Hospital, Kwekwe, Zimbabwe
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Received: 23rd January, 2017 / Accepted: 8th March, 2017
Objective: The purpose of the study was to establish the knowledge, attitudes and perceptions of women towards Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid for Cervical cancer (VIAC) in Kwekwe Zimbabwe. Methods: The research was a case study of Kwekwe General Hospital. Structured interviews were used to obtain qualitative data from a sample of 50 women aged 51 years and above whom were purposive sampled from women attending the hospital outpatient department. The data was analysed thematically to answer the research questions. Results: The findings were that 66% had not been screened for cervical cancer. Whilst 34% of the women lacked information about cervical cancer and screening with VIAC test, 70% of them indicated willingness to be screened. The unscreened women cited lack of knowledge (36.4%), fear of results (27.3%), embarrassment (21%) among others as the reasons for not having the test. The majority of women (70%) who were VIAC screened took the test because they had symptoms. Discussions: All the participants by virtue of being sexually active are at risk of cervical cancer. Their education level was a minimum of a high school certificate but 66% did not go for screening. The lack of knowledge about cervical cancer cited by the participants can be attributed to lack of health education by health care providers. If the participants had adequate knowledge on the danger of late diagnosis of cancer, then they will be screened due to the perceived risk. In addition, knowledge would dispel the embarrassment and fear. Conclusion: The conclusion drawn from this research is that women are not being screened because of lack of knowledge of cancer of the cervix and the screening procedure (VIAC). The negative perceptions can be dispelled with education therefore the health workers need to increase community awareness concerning Cervical Cancer and screening to increase the uptake of visual inspection with acetic acid test from 0.01%.
Cancer, Cervix, Screening, Visual inspection, Knowledge, Perceptions
