Impact of sexual health taboos on the cervical cancer screening behavior of women in Kumasi, Ghana

Cervical cancer is currently the leading cause of cancer death among women in Ghana, West Africa. Visual inspection of the cervix with acetic acid wash (VIA) is an effective screening method that can detect precancerous lesions in the cervix. Data from the International Agency for Research on Cancer's report, Globocon 2002, indicated that the cervical cancer mortality rate in Ghana is nearly twice the cervical cancer mortality rate in the world. Early detection, and treatment of precancerous lesions can prevent the development of cervical cancer, and lower the mortality rate. There are many barriers that prevent women in Ghana from obtaining regular cervical cancer screenings including sexual health taboos. Surveys will be administered (n=75) and focus groups discussions will be conducted with female residents (n = 25) of Kumasi, Ghana. An analysis of the data collected will be used to assess the effect of sexual health taboos on cervical cancer screening. This study will provide significant information that can be used to develop culturally appropriate cervical cancer screening messages that may increase the cervical cancer screening rates in Ghana.