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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
Matthew Ward, MBBS and Sasa Cvetkovic, MD. Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Program, International Rescue Committee, c/o Abby Chua, 122 E. 42nd Street, 12th floor, New York, NY 10168, 212-551-3068, captimba@eunet.yu
In Central Serbia, a region of FRY, ASIR of cervical cancer in 1999 was estimated to be 41.5/100,000 women, and in 1998 60% of the domestic and 65% of the displaced population in FRY had never been screened for cervical cancer. A formalised screening program has never operated in FRY.
In 2001, the IRC, in coordination with the Ministry of Health, clinic staff, and the Serbian Association of Cervical Pathology, designed and implemented a screening program based on PATH recommended guidelines. A target population of women aged between 35-50 years (estimated at 4105 women) was identified. Required equipment and disposables were provided; twelve gynaecologists were trained in current clinical and colposcopic cervical diagnosis; and a health promotion campaign was implemented to increase community awareness of cervical cancer and the availability of free screening. Poor coordination of health authorities at national and local levels, lack of motivation amongst staff and unofficial service charges proved obstacles to program implementation.
A participatory programmatic approach and IRC governmental advocacy improved coordination between health authorities and clinic staff and facilitated health promotion activities. In the three months following the Health Promotion Campaign, demand for screening exceeded service capacity. 500 women (12% of target population) were screened; 496 (99%) for the first time. The demonstrated efficacy of the campaign and large unmet service demand led to program expansion and Ministerial recognition. Governmental support now exists for ongoing program activities and their adoption into emerging health policy, increasing the likelihood of long-term program sustainability.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Cervical Cancer, Community Involvement
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: International Rescue Committee
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.