Cervical cancer: does our message promote screening? A pilot study in a South African context.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of the study was to explore if cervical cancer information presented in a non-stigmatizing manner could promote screening in women living in a resource poor environment in Tshwane, South Africa.


METHODS
An exploratory, contextual, quantitative door-to-door survey was conducted. The sampling method was convenience (n = 105). Structured interviews were used to gather self-reported data. Chi-square tests were used for secondary data analyses.


RESULTS
The study provided evidence that presenting information on cervical cancer in a non-stigmatizing manner based on the theme of self protection promoted cervical screening. The study further provided evidence that women preferred a cervical cancer message that does not focus on the sexual risk factors of this disease. More than a third of the sample preferring a message introducing cervical cancer as a sexually transmitted infection (n = 32) were of the opinion that this message were stigmatizing, blameful and displayed misunderstanding of their lives.


CONCLUSIONS
Cervical cancer screening is indeed not simple. The screening rate not only in South Africa but many other countries serves as proof. It can therefore not be afforded to add to the barriers by presenting information on cervical cancer in a way perceived as stigmatizing and blameful. Presenting information in way that women prefer might not only promote cervical screening, but might motivate them in such a way that they are screened.
Maree
Johanna E
JE
Adelaide Tambo School of Nursing Science, Tshwane University of Technology, Private Bag X680, Pretoria 0001, South Africa. mareeje@tut.ac.za
Wright
Susanna C D
SC
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D044383:Black People; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D003906:Developing Countries; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education / Q000379:methods*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D020380:Needs Assessment; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011203:Poverty; D018570:Risk Assessment; D057545:Social Stigma; D013019:South Africa; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000208:ethnology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D055815:Young Adult