Barriers and Facilitators to Cervical Cancer Screening, Diagnosis, Follow-Up Care and Treatment: Perspectives of Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Positive Women and Health Care Practitioners in Tanzania

The oncologist

article

Lori Brand Bateman¹  Pauline E. Jolly²  Shaundra Blakemore³  Alaya Koneru²  Thereza Mtesigwa⁴  Renicha McCree³  Nedra F. Lisovicz¹  Eric A. Aris⁴  Safina Yuma⁵  Julius D. Mwaiselage⁶ 

[1] Division of Preventive Medicine;School of Public Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham;Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine;Management and Development for Health;Reproductive Health Cancer Unit, The United Republic of Tanzania, Ministry of Health, Community Development;Division for Cancer Prevention and Research, Ocean Road Cancer Institute

关键词: Patient navigation;    Cervical cancer;    Tanzania;    Human immunodeficiency virus;    Screening;    Focus groups;    Social stigma;   

DOI  :  10.1634/theoncologist.2017-0444

学科分类：地质学

来源: AlphaMed Press Incorporated

【 摘 要 】

Background This study was conducted to identify barriers and facilitators to cervical cancer screening, diagnosis, follow-up care, and treatment among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected women and clinicians and to explore the acceptability of patient navigators in Tanzania. Materials and Methods In 2012, we conducted four focus groups, two with HIV-positive women and two with clinicians who perform cervical cancer screening, diagnosis, follow-up care, and treatment. Transcriptions were analyzed using thematic analysis. Results Findings from the patient focus groups indicate the prevalence of fear and stigma surrounding cervical cancer as well as a lack of information and access to screening and treatment. The clinician focus groups identified numerous barriers to screening, diagnosis, follow-up care, and treatment. Participants in both types of groups agreed that a patient navigation program would be an effective way to help women navigate across the cancer continuum of care including screening, diagnosis, follow-up care, and treatment. Conclusion Given the fear, stigma, misinformation, and lack of resources surrounding cervical cancer, it is not surprising that patient navigation would be welcomed by patients and providers. Implications for Practice This article identifies specific barriers to cervical cancer screening and treatment from the perspectives of both clinicians and patients in Tanzania and describes the acceptability of the concept of patient navigation.

【 授权许可】

CC BY|CC BY-NC