Perceptions and attitudes of rural women of Matebeleng Village - Limpopo Province towards cervical cancer : risk factors, screening tests and the HPV vaccines

Abstract

Cancer of the cervix is second type of cancer among women in developing countries, and a common problem among women of low socio-economic status in rural communities. The spiral increase of the problem is aggravated by some socio-economic, structural, cultural and political factors. Understanding the risk factors associated with the disease is a step forward towards effective prevention and treatment. Numerous studies have been conducted on knowledge and perceptions of cervical cancer however the information on cervical cancer is still not reaching the majority of women. The study explored the perceptions and attitudes of rural women of Matebeleng village towards cervical cancer, the risk factors, screening tests and the HPV vaccines. A qualitative exploratory case study was conducted. Self-reported data was collected from 22 women. Two focus groups of 7 and 9 and 6 face-face individual interviews were conducted using a semi-structured interview guide. Data was analysed thematically. The research findings revealed that the majority of women in the rural area where the study was conducted never heard of cervical cancer and only few received inadequate information. Few highlighted some of the risk factors but some information was incorrect. Very few participants had only once been screened and the majority have never been tested for cervical cancer. Some became aware of the vaccine through the consent forms from school even though they did not exactly understand the content. The sources of information were the radio, health clinic and random women. The concerns of those who were screened were lack of feedback from the clinic nursing staff after the test, lack of adequate preparation and information before been screened to allay fear and doubt of the unknown and lack of reach out programmes to rural communities. The methods of disseminating information to rural women in their distinct contexts should be examined. Conventional traditional ways of reaching out to rural women could perhaps produce improved results through the integrated approach involving multi-disciplinary teams in educating communities. Key Words: Perceptions, attitudes, rural-based women, cervical cancer, risk factors, screening tests, HPV vaccine