Abstract 35: Examining Levels of Awareness, Barriers and Enablers Regarding the Cervical Cancer Prevention and Treatment Pathway for Patients and Health Providers in Tanzania: A Qualitative Study

• Published in: Cancer epidemiology, biomarkers & prevention biomarkers & prevention, 2023-06, Vol.32 (6_Supplement), p.35-35
• Main Authors: Kaushal, Sanchit, Chelva, Melinda, West, Nicola, Erwin, Erica, Marandu, Prisca Dominic, Yuma, Safina, Shelley, Donna, Yeates, Karen
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 1538-7755; 1538-7755
• DOI: 10.1158/1538-7755.ASGCR23-Abstract-35

Purpose: Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women around the globe. It has been identified as the most common cancer in Tanzania, resulting in about 9772 new cases and 6695 deaths each year. Several research studies have identified lack of awareness, low screening uptake and several other barriers as significant contributors to the striking number of deaths in the nation. While prior studies on the effects of both awareness levels and barriers/enablers in rural Tanzania have been explored, there is scant literature on the perspectives across all stakeholders (e.g., patients, key informants, healthcare providers, and non-healthcare providers). Our study aims to better understand the cervical cancer screening cascade in rural Tanzania to inform relevant policies and guidelines and overall, improve health outcomes. Methods: We leveraged a framework for conducting a health systems assessment to identify healthcare providers’ perspectives on effective cervical cancer screening, prevention and control in Tanzania. We adapted interview topic guides for cervical cancer screening using the health systems assessment framework conceptualized by Risso-Gill and colleagues designed initially for evaluating hypertension control. Study participants (71) were interviewed between 2014-2018. This included key stakeholders, patients, healthcare providers and non-healthcare providers. Results: Through the interviews and focus group discussions that were conducted, three major themes emerged: 1) awareness, 2) barriers, and 3) enablers. Awareness sub-themes included education (healthcare providers), education (patients), beliefs on cervical cancer screening, traditional medicine, risk factors, and symptoms and signs. Barriers sub-themes included access to seeking care, stigma, fear of seeking care, transportation methods, lack of communication between healthcare providers, lack of resources for patients, and disadvantaged populations. Enablers sub-themes included previous use of services, use of referrals, mass screening programs, and family support (including male involvement). Conclusion: It is evident that there is a low level of awareness of cervical cancer amongst patients and healthcare providers in rural Tanzania and a multitude of barriers and enablers that alter the prevention and treatment cascade. There is a critical need to implement more initiatives and programs to increase uptake and allow for informed-decision making among women. Citation Format: