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A Qualitative Exploration of Women's Experiences with a Community Health Volunteer-Led Cervical Cancer Educational Module in Migori County, Kenya.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Choi, Y; Oketch, SY; Adewumi, K; Bukusi, E; Huchko, MJ
Published in: J Cancer Educ
February 2020

Detection and treatment of human papillomavirus (HPV) and cervical precancer through screening programs is an effective way to reduce cervical cancer deaths. However, high cervical cancer mortality persists in low- and middle-income countries. As screening programs become more widely available, it is essential to understand how knowledge about cervical cancer and perceived disease risk impacts screening uptake and acceptability. We evaluated women's experiences with a cervical cancer education strategy led by community health volunteers (CHVs) in Migori County, Kenya, as part of a cluster randomized controlled trial of cervical cancer screening implementation strategies. The educational modules employed simple language and images and sought to increase understanding of the relationship between HPV and cervical cancer, the mechanisms of self-collected HPV testing, and the importance of cervical cancer screening. Modules took place in three different contexts throughout the study: (1) during community mobilization; (2) prior to screening in either community health campaigns or health facilities; and (3) prior to treatment. Between January and September 2016, we conducted in-depth interviews with 525 participants to assess their experience with various aspects of the screening program. After the context-specific educational modules, women reported increased awareness of cervical cancer screening and willingness to screen, described HPV- and cervical cancer-related stigma and emphasized the use of educational modules to reduce stigma. Some misconceptions about cervical cancer were evident. With effective and context-specific training, lay health workers, such as CHVs, can help bridge the gap between cervical cancer screening uptake and acceptability.

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Published In

J Cancer Educ

DOI

EISSN

1543-0154

Publication Date

February 2020

Volume

35

Issue

1

Start / End Page

36 / 43

Location

England

Related Subject Headings

  • Volunteers
  • Uterine Cervical Neoplasms
  • Public Health
  • Public Health
  • Patient Education as Topic
  • Papillomavirus Infections
  • Papillomaviridae
  • Models, Educational
  • Middle Aged
  • Kenya
 

Citation

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Choi, Y., Oketch, S. Y., Adewumi, K., Bukusi, E., & Huchko, M. J. (2020). A Qualitative Exploration of Women's Experiences with a Community Health Volunteer-Led Cervical Cancer Educational Module in Migori County, Kenya. J Cancer Educ, 35(1), 36–43. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13187-018-1437-2
Choi, Yujung, Sandra Y. Oketch, Konyin Adewumi, Elizabeth Bukusi, and Megan J. Huchko. “A Qualitative Exploration of Women's Experiences with a Community Health Volunteer-Led Cervical Cancer Educational Module in Migori County, Kenya.J Cancer Educ 35, no. 1 (February 2020): 36–43. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13187-018-1437-2.
Choi, Yujung, et al. “A Qualitative Exploration of Women's Experiences with a Community Health Volunteer-Led Cervical Cancer Educational Module in Migori County, Kenya.J Cancer Educ, vol. 35, no. 1, Feb. 2020, pp. 36–43. Pubmed, doi:10.1007/s13187-018-1437-2.
Journal cover image

Published In

J Cancer Educ

DOI

EISSN

1543-0154

Publication Date

February 2020

Volume

35

Issue

1

Start / End Page

36 / 43

Location

England

Related Subject Headings

  • Volunteers
  • Uterine Cervical Neoplasms
  • Public Health
  • Public Health
  • Patient Education as Topic
  • Papillomavirus Infections
  • Papillomaviridae
  • Models, Educational
  • Middle Aged
  • Kenya