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

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.

Childbirth-choice facilitation experiences among women in selected public healthcare facilities in Namibia.

AIM AND OBJECTIVE: To describe childbirth-choice facilitation through the experiences of women, and explore women's views on their experiences of childbirth-choice facilitation. DESIGN: This qualitative exploratory study included 12 women who gave birth in selected public hospitals in different parts of Namibia during the study period. Purposive sampling was adopted to ensure that participants had sufficient knowledge of the subject under study. The research employed individual semi-structured in-depth interviews to understand women's experiences during childbirth facilitation. Data analysis followed the six steps as proposed by Creswell: preparation and organisation of data, exploration and coding of data, coding and building descriptions of the themes, presenting and reporting findings, interpreting the findings and validation of the accuracy of findings. FINDINGS: Women's choices on type of childbirth were assumed as they did not receive full information pertaining to different modes. The research findings were grouped into two main themes and five sub-themes, as follows: childbirth-choice experience (lack of choice, lack of shared decision-making) and information-giving (information sources, preferred information, timing of information-giving). Women expressed that they had limited knowledge and/or information pertaining to types of childbirth as midwives provided little information about how they would give birth. The women also indicated that healthcare professionals made decisions for them without any clear explanation, and that they received information when it was too late and they were unable to process it. KEY CONCLUSIONS: Women who gave birth in public hospitals reported a lack of choice regarding type of childbirth and a lack of shared decision-making. They would have preferred to receive balanced information about types of childbirth in advance in order to make informed decisions. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Health professionals need to provide information on types of childbirth to women early in antenatal care so that they understand the choices and can give informed consent regarding their chosen mode when the time comes. Previous experiences of women need to be solicited to guide the facilitation of current or subsequent pregnancies as a way of ensuring women-centred care.

Women's perception of cervical cancer pap smear screening.

AIM: The study examines limiting factors associated with cervical cancer Pap smear screening among participants of reproductive age attending a healthcare facility in Namibia. DESIGN: A cross-sectional descriptive and exploratory study was conducted. METHODS: The data were collected using a face-to-face interview (qualitative) and a structured questionnaire (quantitative). A total of 49 participants (10 qualitative and 39 quantitative) aged 17-45 years participated in the study. RESULTS: The study revealed that 80% of participants have limited knowledge of cervical cancer, while 49% have never done the test before and 8% were not informed of the screening and risk of the disease. Furthermore, 49% of participants responded that the screening fees are not affordable. Meanwhile, all participants (100%) complained of the long waiting period. Other main barriers for not screening were missed announcements and unsuitable time allocation. Knowledge on cervical cancer and turn-up for Pap smear screening test was low among participants of reproductive age.