Culture and religion as perceived challenges to early cervical cancer screening
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Authors
Gutusa, Fungai
Issue Date
2021-01
Type
Dissertation
Language
en
Keywords
Attitudes , Cervical cancer , Early cancer screening , Culture , Religion
Alternative Title
Abstract
Early cervical cancer screening is crucial in the protection against cervical cancer
because it allows healthcare providers to detect cancer and precursor lesions to
facilitate appropriate treatment if detected at an early stage. This intervention thus
prevents cancer from progressing to an advanced stage before it is diagnosed.
The purpose of this study was to describe women’s perception regarding the effect
that culture and religion have on their decision to utilise early cancer screening
services in an attempt to recommend possible interventions to promote early
screening. An exploratory and contextual qualitative design was utilised to explore this
phenomenon within Mutasa district in Manicaland Province of Zimbabwe. Nonprobability
convenience sampling was used to select women aged 18-49 years who
attended the rural hospital from 1 May to 30 June 2018, and they received information
letters and could volunteer to participate. Semi-structured interviews were conducted
between 27 September 2018 and 30 September 2018 until saturation was reached
after 17 interviews. Data were analysed using Tesch’s qualitative open-coding data
analysis method. Five themes were identified, namely a lack of knowledge,
stigmatisation, cultural beliefs and values, religion, and a lack of resources. Different
categories underpinned the themes, and the categories were formed by grouping
similar direct quotations from participants.
Based on the study’s findings, recommendations for possible interventions focused on
(1) how to improve knowledge, (2) address attitudes, (3) and take beliefs and cultural
diversity into consideration, ultimately motivating or supporting women in utilising early
cervical cancer screening services. The researcher will electronically share the
research findings with the Ministry of Health and Child Care, Zimbabwe National
Family Planning Council, and other technical and interested stakeholders. The
research report will also be shared with the Ministry of Health at the district level.
Platforms such as existing and planned Ministry of Health workshops, where different
stakeholders involved in cervical cancer who have an interest in women’s health meet,
will be targeted to share the findings. An ad hoc committee at the district level that
include community leaders, ordinary members from the community, church (religious)
leaders, educators, as well as representative from the Cancer Association of
Zimbabwe should be formed to ensure that a holistic approach to health education can
be shared in all health education material and awareness programmes. This measure
will ensure that culture and religion are effectively addressed in health education.