A retrospective study of utilisation and uptake of visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA) as a cervical cancer screening method at a specific hospital in Zimbabwe

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to describe the factors that determine the utilisation of VIA, and to investigate the socio-economic status of women who undergone VIA. A retrospective document analysis of 323 clinical records was conducted at a specific rural hospital in Zimbabwe. A retrospective, cross-sectional, non-experimental, descriptive, analysis of clinical records was conducted using a checklist to extract data from the records of women who have undergone VIA for cervical screening at the specific rural hospital. The results revealed that 70% (N=225) were from outside the catchment area, 73% (N=234) were poor, 54% (N=173) were of high parity, 85% (N=275) were ill with conditions that included lower back and abdominal pains, excessive vaginal discharge and vaginal bleeding after intercourse. The study further revealed that 72% (N=226) had no prior cervical cancer screening and 87% (N=277) were screened by chance. The conclusion drawn was that socio-economic and logistical constraints hinder cervical cancer screening among rural women. It is recommended that VIA screening and health education on cervical cancer be offered to all women visiting healthcare facilities. Furthermore, the government should consider funding in order to prioritise women’s health issues.