Maree Johanna Elizabeth, Kaila Ilipo
Department of Nursing Education, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.
Int J Gynecol Cancer. 2014 Jul;24(6):1065-71. doi: 10.1097/IGC.0000000000000144.
Cervical cancer is the most common cancer in Zambian women, and approximately 28% of all patients with cancer seen at the Cancer Diseases Hospital in Lusaka experience this disease. Our objective was to gain insight into the knowledge, understanding, and experiences of women treated for cervical cancer at the specific hospital.
We selected a qualitative research design and descriptive phenomenological approach for the study. Twenty-one (n = 21) semistructured interviews directed by an interview schedule were conducted. We used Patton's open coding steps and a template analyses style guided by the 4 themes of the interview schedule to analyze the data.
Most participants indicated that they did not know and understand anything of cervical cancer. They believed they were bewitched and consulted traditional healers and used traditional medicine. Most described that they experienced symptoms for extended periods of time before they were diagnosed. They described how the offensive vaginal bleeding and watery discharge they experienced led to isolation, rejection, and humiliation. The participants said they did not understand how they would be treated and treatment was described as a terrible experience.
The women's lived experiences of cervical cancer tell of severe suffering. They knew and understood very little about this disease. Their suffering became so unbearable that some wanted to end their lives. They were subjected to the opinions of others who knew equally as little but were quite willing to speak out, judge, and reject. Most battled through the treatment and the distressing adverse effects because it was their only hope to become better.
Zambian women must be empowered with knowledge and skills to protect themselves against cervical cancer. Suggestions for improving outcomes include changing high-risk behavior, taking advantage of screening opportunities, recognizing the signs of cervical cancer, and seeking health care without delay.
宫颈癌是赞比亚女性中最常见的癌症，在卢萨卡癌症疾病医院就诊的所有癌症患者中，约28%患有这种疾病。我们的目的是深入了解在该特定医院接受宫颈癌治疗的女性的知识、理解和经历。
我们选择了定性研究设计和描述性现象学方法进行研究。根据访谈提纲进行了21次半结构化访谈。我们使用帕顿的开放编码步骤，并以访谈提纲的4个主题为指导的模板分析方式来分析数据。
大多数参与者表示，他们对宫颈癌一无所知。他们认为自己中了邪，便咨询传统治疗师并使用传统药物。大多数人描述说，在被诊断之前，他们长时间经历症状。他们描述了自己经历的令人厌恶的阴道出血和水样分泌物是如何导致孤立、被拒和羞辱的。参与者表示，他们不明白自己将如何接受治疗，并且将治疗描述为一次可怕的经历。
这些女性宫颈癌的生活经历诉说着严重的痛苦。她们对这种疾病知之甚少。她们的痛苦变得难以忍受，以至于有些人想结束自己的生命。她们受到了同样知之甚少但却很愿意发表意见、评判和拒绝的其他人的看法的影响。大多数人在治疗和令人痛苦的不良反应中挣扎，因为这是她们病情好转的唯一希望。
必须赋予赞比亚女性知识和技能，以保护自己免受宫颈癌侵害。改善结果的建议包括改变高危行为、利用筛查机会、识别宫颈癌的症状以及立即寻求医疗护理。
