This article discusses Issue of Cervical Cancer in Developing Countries.
Permalink: https://studyinghq.com/essay-examples/issue-of-cervical-cancer-in-developing-countries
As you continue, thestudycorp.com has the top and most qualified writers to help with any of your assignments. All you need to do is place an order with us.
Issue of Cervical Cancer in Developing Countries
Introduction
Cervical cancer is the fourth most frequently occurring cancer in women and the eighth-most frequent cancer worldwide (World Cancer Research Fund International, 2019). According to the World Health Organization, (2019), about 570,000 new cases of cervical cancer were reported in 2018 representing 6.6% of all cancers related to female. The American Cancer Society (ACS) has stated that 12,170 new cases of cervical cancer were diagnosed in the United States in 2012 but greater than 500,000 new cases were diagnosed each year; an annual incidence of 4.5 cases per 100,000 in Western Asia to 34.5 per 100,000 in Eastern Africa (Boardman, 2019). Cancer council, 2019 demonstrated that Cervical death rate in Australia has decreased by half since the beginning of the National Cervical Screening Program, 1991. It has also presented that approximately 90% of all cervical cancer deaths occurred in low-income and middle-income countries (WHO, 2019). Therefore, cervical cancer has been the second most common cancer-related deaths in developing countries when in developed countries, cervical cancer is not even among the top 10 causes of death (Boardman, 2019). The developed countries have experienced dramatic reductions in the occurrence and mortality from cervical cancer that accounts for only 3.6% (Rahman et al., 2013). Cervical cancer is associated with 15 high-risk Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) types, while, it is caused by HPV 16 and 18 (Rahman et al., 2013). Approximately 99% of cervical cancers are caused by the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). Although HPV can be transmitted by nonsexual route majority is sexually transmitted. The major risk factors are: having many sexual partners or being sexually active at an early age have a higher risk of HPV infection. Likewise, smoking, weak immune system, long-term usages of contraceptive pills, other sexually transmitted diseases (STD) and socio-economic status increases the risk of developing cervical cancer (Nordqvist, C., 2019). The HPV infection is highly present in sexually active women and almost 90% of infections get clear within months to few years, although cytology reports in 2 years after infection may present low grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (Broadman, 2019). Only 5 % of HPV infections develop into cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) grade 2 or 3 lesions within 3 years of infection and only 20% CIN grade 3 progress to invasive cervical cancer within 30 years (Boardman, 2019). Cervix cancer can be prevented by HPV vaccination and Papanicolaou (Pap) screening programs. The treatment varies according to the stages; early invasive requires surgery and in more advanced cases, radiation combined with chemotherapy is preferred (Boardman, 2019).Research gap
Many studies have reported a high burden of cervical cancer among developing countries. In low or middle-income countries, greater than eight out of ten women are diagnosed with cervical cancer and nine among ten die from cervical cancer (Ginsburg et al., 2017) whereas, cervical cancer is uncommon in developed countries like United States (Boardman, 2019). There has been always a gap between developed and developing countries with regards to disease awareness and prevention. The disproportionate burden in developing and developed countries is mainly due to of lack of life-saving interventions such as HPV vaccination and cervical cancer screening (Ifemelumma et al., 2019) along with treatment of pre-cancerous lesions (Ginsburg et al., 2017; Rahman et al., 2013). Morbidity and mortality can be reduced by early detection and treatment. Many studies presented that regular screening program can reduce the cases by 80% as in developed countries (Rahman &Kar, 2015). The awareness among the women about the screening is vital. In developing countries, the doctor-patient ratio is low and nursing staffs are the major workforce for providing information among the general public (Rahman &Kar, 2015). The nurses with a low level of knowledge in regards to cervix cancer and screening program are less likely to uptake and access Pap smear services to the patients. A study in India showed that nurses did not have adequate knowledge, awareness about the screening program, while 85% had never taken pap tests from patient and 90% had never referred for Pap smear test (Shekhar, Sharma, Thakur, & Raina, 2013). Since, nurses are the frontline personnel in educating women in the prevention of diseases and health promotion influencing women to uptake cervical cancer screening (Thippeneeranna, Mohan, Singh, & Singh, 2013); nurses require having current and accurate information in cervical cancer and Pap smear test. Many studies among the nursing staffs have shown some awareness about cervical cancer and screening programs; however, screening uptake rates are still far from a satisfactory level in most developing countries (Shekhar, Sharma, Thakur, & Raina, 2013; Rahman &Kar, 2015 and Sudharshini, Anantharaman, & Chitraa, 2012). The health care workers in Ethiopia reported barriers of practicing test as 52% were lack of training and 53% lack of resources (Goedken et al., 2015) and finding it unnecessary (Ozdemir & Bilgili, 2010; Andsoy & Gul, 2014). The majority of studies on cervical cancer and Pap tests’ awareness and practices are conducted among the women of different geographical areas in developing countries while very limited studies are obtained among nursing staffs. As nurses are the key individual to come in contact while visiting any health care facilities; it is absolutely necessary for them to be aware of the disease conditions and its preventive measures. As it is mentioned, the level of awareness and practice of screening is low among the nursing staffs that are responsible for making their clients’ clear and confident about the test. This study has been conducted to fill a knowledge gap among the nurses in developing countries since no such study has been done. The aim of the study is to review the awareness and practice about Pap smear test in the detection of cervical cancer among the nursing staffs in developing countries. Further, the study might provide data for researchers, educators, and policymakers for further planning and intervention for the cervical cancer screening test.Literature review
A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on cervical screening: knowledge attitude and practice in tertiary care teaching and referral institute of rural India among the nursing staff (Shekhar, Sharma, Thakur, & Raina, 2013). A pretested questionnaire was distributed among 262 nurses in the teaching institute. Among them, 77% were aware that Pap smear is used to detect cervical cancer, but less than half knew it can also detect precancerous lesions (Shekhar, Sharma, Thakur, & Raina, 2013). On the basis of scoring, only 26.7% of the participants had adequate knowledge about cervical cancer and its screening and only 7% of them had undergone the Pap test (Shekhar, Sharma, Thakur, & Raina, 2013). There was a significant association between higher parity and nurses over 30 years with self-screening. Furthermore, a majority (85%) of the staff nurse had never practiced a Pap smear test on a patient and about 90% of the nurses had never referred for Pap smear test (Shekhar, Sharma, Thakur, & Raina, 2013). Most nurses had a perception that the doctor is responsible for performing the Pap screening test (Shekhar, Sharma, Thakur, & Raina, 2013). A study was conducted to identify the awareness of cervical cancer screening among nursing staff in a tertiary institution of rural India (Singh, Seth, Rani, & Srivastava, 2012). Total 205 staff nurses working in Rural Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Saifai, Etawah were interviewed with a pretested self-administered questionnaire containing some recall questions about demographics, diseases conditions, and screening (Singh, Seth, Rani, & Srivastava, 2012). Seventy-four percent knew that cervical cancer can be detected by Pap smear test; however, only 59% were aware that both precancerous and cancerous cervix lesion can be detected by Pap test (Singh, Seth, Rani, & Srivastava, 2012). Among all the nurses, only 11% had self screened while, almost half (47%) of the nurses had never practiced Pap smear and 63% of them had never referred their patient for the cervical screening test (Singh, Seth, Rani, & Srivastava, 2012). Most respondents (79%) believed that Pap smear and speculum examinations are doctors’ procedure (Singh, Seth, Rani, & Srivastava, 2012). A study was conducted in Sikkim, India to assess the knowledge of cervix cancer and practice of screening test among the nurses in April 2012 to February 2013 (Rahman &Kar, 201). This study reported that the majority (90.4%) of participants were aware of cervical cancer whereas, 25% were unaware of the commonest site. Among 320 nurses who were aware of cervix cancer, 79.1% had heard of the cervical screening test (Rahman &Kar, 201). One-third of the nurses had knowledge that screening starts at 21 years or 3 years after first sexual intercourse (Rahman &Kar, 201). Cervical cancer and screening awareness were significantly more among the senior staffs with older age (P<0.007) and married nurses were more aware of Pap smear test; respondents from Christian and Buddhist religion were more likely to be aware of cervix screening in comparison to Hindu religion (Rahman &Kar, 201). Only 11.9% of the total sample had ever taken the screening test (Rahman &Kar, 201). The most common reason for avoiding tests was; not being at risk, the pelvic examination being uncomfortable and fear of screening result (Rahman &Kar, 2015).As you continue, thestudycorp.com has the top and most qualified writers to help with any of your assignments. All you need to do is place an order with us. (Issue of Cervical Cancer in Developing Countries)
![Issue of cervical cancer in developing countries 1 Issue of cervical cancer in developing countries](https://privateessaywriters.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/order-1024x334.jpg)
As you continue, thestudycorp.com has the top and most qualified writers to help with any of your assignments. All you need to do is place an order with us. (Issue of Cervical Cancer in Developing Countries)
![Issue of cervical cancer in developing countries 1 Issue of cervical cancer in developing countries](https://privateessaywriters.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/order-1024x334.jpg)
As you continue, thestudycorp.com has the top and most qualified writers to help with any of your assignments. All you need to do is place an order with us. (Issue of Cervical Cancer in Developing Countries)
![Issue of cervical cancer in developing countries 1 Issue of cervical cancer in developing countries](https://privateessaywriters.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/order-1024x334.jpg)
Conclusion:
Cervical cancer is the major cause of mortality and morbidity among women worldwide. Early screening for the detection of cervical cancer is a key intervention to reduce this public health issue. Many studies have reported that even though nursing staff has adequate knowledge on a screening test but, the utilization of Pap smear is low among them. Since nurses have a significant contribution to improve cervical cancer awareness and screening practice among women, the reasons for the poor practice of Pap smear test requires to be investigated among nurses in developing countries.References:
- Alzahrani, H. H. (2018). Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices in Relation to Cervical Cancer Screening among Female Employees at King Abdulaziz University. International Journal of Nursing Didactics, 08(03), 01-10. doi:10.15520/ijnd.2018.vol8.iss03.2050.01-10
- AO, A., & ET, U. (2018). Factors Affecting Utilization of Cervical Cancer Screening Services among Nurses in a Teaching Hospital in Ibadan, Nigeria. International Journal of Cancer Studies & Research, 131-136. doi:10.19070/2167-9118-1800024
- Asgarlou, Z., Tehrani, S., Asghari, E., Arzanlou, M., Naghavi-Behzad, M., Piri, R., … Moosavi, A. (2016). Cervical Cancer Prevention Knowledge and Attitudes among Female University Students and Hospital Staff in Iran. Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention : APJCP, 17(11), 4921–4927. doi:10.22034/APJCP.2016.17.11.4921
- Awodele, O., Adeyomoye, A. A., Awodele, D. F., Kwashi, V., Awodele, I. O., & Dolapo, D. C. (2011). A Study on Cervical Cancer Screening Amongst Nurses in Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Lagos, Nigeria. Journal of Cancer Education, 26(3), 497-504. doi:10.1007/s13187-010-0187-6
- Boardman, C. H. (2019, February 12). Cervical Cancer: Practice Essentials, Background, Pathophysiology. Retrieved from https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/253513-overview
- Cancer Council Australia. (2019). Understanding Cervical Cancer. Retrieved from https://www.cancer.org.au/about-cancer/types-of-cancer/cervical-cancer.html
- Chen, S., Tsai, S., Hsieh, M., Lee, L., & Tzeng, Y. (2016). Factors Predicting Nurse Intent and Status Regarding Pap Smear Examination in Taiwan: a Cross-sectional Survey. Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention, 17(1), 165-170. doi:10.7314/apjcp.2016.17.1.165
- Darj, E., & Urasa, M. (2011). Knowledge of cervical cancer and screening practices of nurses at a regional hospital in Tanzania. African Health Sciences, 11(1).https://www.ajol.info/index.php/ahs/article/view/64992
- Dhodapkar, S., Chauhan, R., & Thampy, S. (2014). Knowledge and awareness of cervical cancer and its prevention among nursing staff of a tertiary care teaching institute in South India. International Journal of Reproduction, Contraception, Obstetrics and Gynecology, 3(4), 1056. doi:10.5455/2320-1770.ijrcog20141235
- Dulla, D., Daka, D., & Wakgari, N. (2017). Knowledge about cervical cancer screening and its practice among female health care workers in southern Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study. International Journal of Women’s Health, Volume 9, 365-372. doi:10.2147/ijwh.s132202
- Ginsburg, O., Bray, F., Coleman, M. P., Vanderpuye, V., Eniu, A., Kotha, S. R., … Conteh, L. (2017). The global burden of women’s cancers: a grand challenge in global health. The Lancet, 389(10071), 847-860. doi:10.1016/s0140-6736(16)31392-7
- Goedken, J., Sharling, L., Kress, C., Desalegn, D., Blumberg, H., & Owen-Smith, A. (2015). Knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding cervical cancer and screening among Ethiopian health care workers. International Journal of Women’s Health, 765. doi:10.2147/ijwh.s85138
- Goedken, J., Sharling, L., Kress, C., Desalegn, D., Blumberg, H., & Owen-Smith, A. (2015). Knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding cervical cancer and screening among Ethiopian health care workers. International Journal of Women’s Health, 765. doi:10.2147/ijwh.s85138
- Ifemelumma, C. C., Anikwe, C. C., Okorochukwu, B. C., Onu, F. A., Obuna, J. A., Ejikeme, B. N., & Ezeonu, O. P. (2019). Cervical Cancer Screening: Assessment of Perception and Ut