- Title
- Knowledge and attitudes of women regarding cervical cancer and papanicolau smear screening in Caleb Motshabi, Bloemfontein
- Creator
- Gwavu, Zintle
- Subject
- Cervix uteri -- Cancer -- South Africa
- Subject
- Pap test
- Date
- 2021-08
- Type
- Master's theses
- Type
- text
- Identifier
- http://hdl.handle.net/10353/21816
- Identifier
- vital:51795
- Description
- The aim of the study was to explore the knowledge and attitudes of women in Caleb Motshabi location regarding cervical cancer and Papanicolaou (Pap) smear screening in order for district management to develop a health education programme on cervical cancer and the benefits of screening. Cervical cancer amongst women worldwide has been identified as the fourth most common cancer. A qualitative descriptive explorative contextual design was employed in this research study. A non-probability purposive sampling method was used. Women between the ages of 18-60 years’ old who reside in Caleb Motshabi location were the target population. Four focus group interviews were conducted. The groups consisted of four to six participants grouped together to discuss the matter. Ethical principles were maintained as well as the concept of trustworthiness throughout this study. Data analysis was done using Tesch’s approach to open coding in qualitative research. A total of seven themes and eight sub-themes arose during the analysis of the data and were completely discussed. The findings suggest that the majority of the participants were aware of cervical cancer and Pap smear, but they lacked knowledge of what cervical cancer is or its causes. Although some of the participants had done a Pap smear in their lifetime, knowledge about how and the reasons the procedure is done still lacked. The majority of participants had received information about Pap smear procedure from peers rather than from health care workers. A significant finding was the fact that the participants who had done the procedure were open to attending regular screenings since they had experience on how it is performed. In conclusion It was recommended that educational programmes relating to cervical cancer and Pap smear screening be intensified in the area. This can be done through increasing awareness programmes in the communities and during clinic visits. To try and increase the uptake of the Pap smear screening it was also recommended that mobile clinics should be introduced to encourage women in the communities.
- Description
- Thesis (MPH) -- Faculty of Health Sciences, 2021
- Format
- computer
- Format
- online resource
- Format
- application/pdf
- Format
- 1 online resource (xii, 85 pages)
- Format
- Publisher
- University of Fort Hare
- Publisher
- Faculty of Health Sciences
- Language
- English
- Rights
- rights holder
- Rights
- All Rights Reserved
- Rights
- Open Access
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Thumbnail | File | Description | Size | Format | |||
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View Details Download | SOURCE1 | Gwavu_201928127_MPH Mini Dissertation.pdf | 1 MB | Adobe Acrobat PDF | View Details Download |