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Author
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Mtukwa, Aduniya
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Title
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Factors Associated With Low Visual Inspection With Acetic Acid And Cervicogram (Viac) Uptake Among Women 18 To 25 Years At Gokwe South District Hospital
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Abstract
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Gokwe South District Hospital, serving the largest district in Midlands Province, faces a pressing concern: high rates of advanced cervical cancer despite low participation of cervical cancer screening, prompting this study to investigate factors hindering Visual Inspection with Acetic and Cervicogram (VIAC) uptake among women aged 18 to 25 years at Gokwe South District Hospital.A descriptive study design was employed together with a convenient sampling technique utilized to identify a sample of one hundred and fifty women aged between 18 to 45 years. Data was collected by means of self-administered questionnaire. Data collected was analyzed, interpreted and presented using tables, graphs, pie charts and percentiles. From the data collected, it was noted that the majority of the respondents, 23% were from Mapfungautsi location while the least, 13% were from Sasame. It was also noted that all participants understood both English and Shona. The majority of the participants, 27% were within age ranges 18 to 25 while the least, 11% belonged to the age ranges 41 to 45. Most of the respondents, 35% had a total number of four children while the least, 11% had one child. On marital status, 27% of the participants were married while 22%, 20%, and 31% were single, widowed and divorced respectively. (Twenty nine) 29% and 3% attained secondary and tertiary education respectively while the majority, 36% and 32% attained primary education and no formal education respectively. The majority, 58% were traditionalists. Study findings also indicated that only 20% of the participants were formally employed while 27%, 25% and 28% were self-employed, housewives and not employed respectively. Factors contributing to low Visual Inspection with Acetic acid and Cervicogram (VIAC) uptake included among others: misconceptions and negative attitudes whereby 30% believed a cervical cancer diagnosis means a death sentence, and 27% cited cultural restrictions on discussing reproductive health. Fear and misconception about the procedure had 46% of the participants who perceived the screening procedure as traumatic and painful. Lack of motivation had 38% of the participants. Recommendations are that policy holders establish Visual Inspection with Acetic acid and Cervicogran (VIAC) screening facilities in hard to reach to areas, nurses to intensify on outreach programs on awareness and screening of cervical cancer as well as carrying a study to identify the effects associated with low uptake of the screening procedure.
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Date
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JUNE 2024
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Publisher
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BUSE
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Keywords
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Low Visual Inspection, Acetic Acid, Cervicogram (Viac)
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Supervisor
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Ms E Mwanza
