Attitudes of women towards screening, prevention and treatment of cervical cancer in Namibia

Abstract

Background: Cervical cancer is among the top causes of cancer-related deaths among women globally.

Aim: The aim of the study was to assess the attitudes of women of reproductive age towards cervical cancer services in the Otjozondjupa region, Namibia.

Setting: The setting of this study was the Otjozondjupa region, one of the 14 regions of Namibia.

Methods: A quantitative, cross-sectional, descriptive study was used. The data were collected with a questionnaire from a stratified sample of 381 out of the 37066 study population of women of reproductive age across four districts of the region. Descriptive data analysis was performed using Statistical Package for Social Science version 25.

Results: The findings revealed that most respondents (83.1%) had an overall neutral attitude towards the screening, prevention, and treatment of cervical cancer; they were not concerned about the risk of cervical cancer and would not practice health-seeking behaviours regarding cervical cancer services.

Conclusions: The respondents were indifferent with regard to prevention, screening, and management services for cervical cancer, implying that they would not use available cervical cancer services.

Contributions: Attitudes of women of reproductive age towards cervical cancer services were highlighted. Subsequently, an educational programme for nurses to enhance the utilisation of cervical cancer services among women of reproductive age in the Otjozondjupa region, Namibia, was developed. Guidelines were developed to facilitate the implementation and evaluation of the educational programme activities to enhance the utilisation of cervical cancer screening services among women of reproductive age.