Origa Martin, Kayiira Anthony, Ghebre Rahel, Bollinger Lauren, Kisakye Sheila Irene, Teoh Deanna
Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Uganda Cancer Institute, Kampala, Uganda.
Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Uganda Martyrs University School of Medicine, Kampala, Uganda.
Gynecol Oncol Rep. 2024 Dec 2;57:101654. doi: 10.1016/j.gore.2024.101654. eCollection 2025 Feb.
Patients admitted to Uganda Cancer Institute (UCI) have their non-medical needs provided by caregivers called "attendants" who are predominantly female family members. This provides a unique opportunity to provide free screening among attendants during their free time at the hospital. The objective of this qualitative focus group study was to understand knowledge of and facilitators and barriers to cervical cancer screening among attendants at the UCI. The goal is to use these data to inform a future opportunistic intervention. Female attendants 25 years of age or older were included in this focus group study. The focus group discussions explored knowledge of cervical cancer and screening modalities, health information sources, barriers and facilitators for cervical cancer screening, and potential use of mobile phone technology to share cervical cancer screening information among one's social community. Data were analyzed using an inductive approach and thematic analysis. Results showed moderate understanding of risk factors for cervical cancer, supplemented by misinformation. Knowledge of symptoms of advanced cervical cancer was high. Most participants were aware that cervical cancer screening exists but knew little about screening modalities. Responses were mixed regarding preferred information sources, and included healthcare workers and facilities, radio and family members. Participants were enthusiastic about mobile phone messaging to provide information about screening but emphasized a need to catch their attention and incentivize screening with promise of good such as sugar, demonstrating prioritization of immediate needs over future cancer risk. These results will inform an intervention which aims to connect female caregivers with free screening available at the adjacent cancer prevention clinic.
入住乌干达癌症研究所（UCI）的患者，其非医疗需求由被称为“陪护人员”的照料者提供，这些陪护人员主要是女性家庭成员。这为在医院空闲时间为陪护人员提供免费筛查提供了独特机会。这项定性焦点小组研究的目的是了解UCI陪护人员对宫颈癌筛查的认知以及筛查的促进因素和障碍。目标是利用这些数据为未来的机会性干预提供信息。25岁及以上的女性陪护人员被纳入该焦点小组研究。焦点小组讨论探讨了宫颈癌及筛查方式的知识、健康信息来源、宫颈癌筛查的障碍和促进因素，以及利用手机技术在社交圈中分享宫颈癌筛查信息的可能性。采用归纳法和主题分析法对数据进行分析。结果显示，对宫颈癌风险因素有一定程度的了解，但也存在错误信息。对晚期宫颈癌症状的知晓率较高。大多数参与者知道存在宫颈癌筛查，但对筛查方式了解甚少。对于首选信息来源的回答不一，包括医护人员和医疗机构、广播以及家庭成员。参与者对通过手机短信提供筛查信息很感兴趣，但强调需要吸引她们的注意力，并以糖等好处来激励筛查，这表明她们将即时需求置于未来癌症风险之上。这些结果将为一项干预措施提供信息，该干预措施旨在让女性照料者与相邻癌症预防诊所提供的免费筛查建立联系。
