Barriers to cervical cancer screening within private medical practices in Soshanguve, South Africa

Abstract

A qualitative, explorative, descriptive and contextual study, using interviews and field notes, investigated the implementation of cervical cancer screening by private medical practitioners in Soshanguve, South Africa. Four barriers to the implementation of cervical cancer screening programmes among private medical practitioners were identified : age and gender of medical practitioners and the patients' ages; few opportunities for private medical practitioners to conduct cervical screening tests; failure of medical practitioners to inform patients; the high cost of screening. Programmes promoting awareness about cervical screening and information and education materials on cervical cancer (and its predisposing factors) should be supplied to women. The utilisation of less expensive laboratory service providers could make cervical screening more affordable and accessible.