This paper presents a framework for local level involvement in cervical cancer prevention services in developing countries. The Alliance for Cervical Cancer Prevention (ACCP) and collaborating partners are working to clarify, promote, and implement strategies for preventing cervical cancer in developing countries. Integral to the Alliance’s work is ensuring community involvement in all aspects of program design, implementation, and evaluation, with the overall goal of increasing access to and use of culturally and technologically appropriate cervical cancer prevention services among the most vulnerable women. Communities of interest include women at risk for pre-cancerous lesions and their families, community members and leaders, community-level policy and decision-makers, women’s health advocates, and local service providers. Since it is essential to understand the perspectives and capacities of communities to ensure cervical cancer prevention program success, PATH has developed a framework that incorporates community-based approaches to: 1) Identify key stakeholders; 2) Assess baseline understanding of the disease, its prevention, and perceived barriers to services among key communities; 3) Facilitate the development and evaluation of informational and educational materials, communication tools, and counseling approaches designed to increase the participation of women at-risk; and 4) Evaluate the acceptability of prevention interventions such visual inspection and outpatient dysplasia treatment techniques. Tools that will be described include community mobilization techniques, action research methods and quality improvement techniques for monitoring client-oriented provider-efficient services. Examples are drawn from current efforts in East Africa and Latin America.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session, participants will be able to articulate a framework that promotes local level involvement in cervical cancer prevention services in developing countries
Keywords: Cervical Cancer, Community Involvement
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.