Master of Public Health

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://192.168.0.29/handle/123456789/127

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Browsing Master of Public Health by Subject "Cervical cancer screening"

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    Factors associated with utilization of cervical cancer screening services among sexually active women in Gutu District, Zimbabwe
    (Adventist University of Africa, 2022-10) Moyo Theresa Avilla Diana
    Cervical cancer is a prevalent type of cancer that ranks fourth among women and eighth overall. It disproportionately affects individuals residing in developing countries, where inadequate screening programs and poor uptake of traditional diagnostic methods such as pap smears or pelvic examinations are common. Early detection and timely treatment significantly improve the chances of a complete cure. In Zimbabwe, despite the availability of free cervical cancer screening services to all eligible women, rural women from the Gutu district exhibit low utilization rates. This research aims to investigate the underlying factors contributing to the inadequate uptake of cervical cancer screening services by rural women in the Gutu District. A cross-sectional study design with an exploratory approach was employed to investigate the subject matter at hand. Quantitative data was collected in May 2021 through a self-administered questionnaire. The sample size of 450 participants was acquired using a multistage stratified random sampling method. Findings from this investigation have revealed that rural women residing in the Gutu district lack fundamental knowledge regarding cervical cancer, where only half of the participants demonstrated awareness of its signs and symptoms. Furthermore, risk perception among the study's respondents remained limited, with only 36.7% acknowledging high susceptibility to developing cervical cancer. The outcomes of this research also indicate that multiple factors, including age, outreach availability, proximity to the VIAC centre, perceived severity of cervical cancer, and spousal support, independently influence the uptake of cervical cancer screening among rural women in the Gutu district. The study concludes that accessibility to cervical cancer screening services remains inadequate within the area of interest. To address this issue, measures such as enhancing risk communication, expanding screening sites, and increasing outreach activities are necessary to bring the service closer to individuals who require it. Additionally, there should be a concerted effort to prioritize rural women in cervical cancer screening programs, dispel any myths or misconceptions, and eliminate gender and cultural barriers.
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    Relationship between channels of communication, knowledge, and utilization of cervical cancer screening services among women in Chileka, rural Blantyre District, Malawi
    (Adventist University of Africa, 2023-01) Gunsaru, Charles Fatsani
    The alarmingly high prevalence of cervical cancer and deaths due to it among women in Malawi implores a solution to reduce the disease. In their efforts towards the same, the Malawi government and other stakeholders provide free screening services and also have strived to increase the knowledge of the disease among women in the country which other studies have suggested positively affects the utilization of the services. Despite these efforts, the level of utilization of the services is still low. The purpose of this study, therefore, was to assess the moderating effect of channels of communication on the relationship between knowledge of cervical cancer and the utilization of the services among women in Traditional Authority (T/A) Kuntaja, rural Blantyre district, Malawi. This analytical cross-sectional study collected quantitative data using a questionnaire translated in Chichewa with closed-ended questions from 428 women aged between 30-49 years selected from 19 villages from T/A Kuntaja using multistage sampling. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, one-way analysis of variance, Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient, and moderated regression analysis. Findings revealed that the level of overall knowledge of cervical cancer among the women in the study area was 29% (very poor). The level of knowledge of the description and causes of the disease was average (79%) and above average (81%), respectively, whereas the level of knowledge of risk factors, symptoms, prevention, treatment, and side-effects of its treatment was very poor, ranging from 13% to 43%. In general, channels of communication did not make a significant difference in women’s knowledge of cervical cancer but it made a difference in their utilization of screening services. Knowledge of cervical cancer has a significant positive relationship with utilization of screening services but channels of communication have no significant moderating effect on this relationship. The level of knowledge of cervical cancer among the women in the study area could be increased when effective communication channels, uniquely designed and taking into consideration women’s specific socio-demographic characteristics. In addition, the information about cervical cancer communicated through these channels could enhance knowledge that can influence the utilization of screening services. Keywords: channels of communication, knowledge of cervical cancer, utilization of cervical cancer screening services