Knowledge and perceptions about cervical cancer and HPV screening in women in rural areas of Ecuador: a qualitative research study

E Bautista-Valarezo, B Vega Crespo… - International Journal of …, 2022 - mdpi.com
E Bautista-Valarezo, B Vega Crespo, R Maldonado-Rengel, ME Espinosa, VA Neira…
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2022mdpi.com
Background: Cervical cancer continues to be a major health problem in developing
countries. Educational programs, as well as Pap and HPV screening and vaccination, are
important tools to reduce the morbidity and mortality rates associated with this disease. The
objective of this study is to explore the diverse knowledge and perceptions about cervical
cancer and the different diagnostic tests for HPV of populations living in the rural parish “El
Valle”. Method: A qualitative study was conducted through eight focus groups, which …
Background
Cervical cancer continues to be a major health problem in developing countries. Educational programs, as well as Pap and HPV screening and vaccination, are important tools to reduce the morbidity and mortality rates associated with this disease. The objective of this study is to explore the diverse knowledge and perceptions about cervical cancer and the different diagnostic tests for HPV of populations living in the rural parish “El Valle”.
Method
A qualitative study was conducted through eight focus groups, which included 46 participants from mixed ethnic groups. A phenomenological analysis was performed.
Results
Four topics and seven sub-topics were identified. By analyzing all the narratives, it was possible to identify that the perception of cervical cancer was focused on its severity, secondary to its infectious process and screening periodicity. However, despite the diverse knowledge, indigenous people do not relate it to the human papilloma virus; in addition, there is also certain resistance to undergo the Pap smear test, for reasons such as inaccessibility and its sampling process.
Conclusions
It is necessary to develop educational programs for the prevention of cervical cancer and to implement diagnostic alternatives to reach populations with precarious accessibility, as well as women who refuse to undergo the Pap smear test.
MDPI
以上显示的是最相近的搜索结果。 查看全部搜索结果