An analysis of key stakeholders' attitudes and beliefs about barriers and facilitating factors in the development of a cervical cancer prevention program in South Africa

Background: Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among women worldwide. One in 35 South African women will be diagnosed with cervical cancer. The empirical literature examining key stakeholder's knowledge/awareness of cervical cancer and the Human papillmoavirus [HPV] vaccine in South Africa is limited.

Methods: Key stakeholders' (e.g. government employees, health care workers and social activists) were identified in Cape Town (N=6) and Johannesburg (N=9). Participants described their 1) knowledge/awareness of HPV and cervical cancer, 2) discussed potential barriers and facilitating factors associated with vaccine administration and other cervical cancer prevention strategies, and identified how families, government, and communities could be involved in preventing HPV and cervical cancer.

Results: Knowledge about HPV, the HPV vaccine, cervical cancer, and HPV's association with cervical cancer varied by interview location. About half of participants in each location thought that the government should underwrite the costs for the HPV vaccine. Potential barriers to the vaccine administration include cost, lack of knowledge/awareness about HPV and cervical cancer, stigma, and multiple clinic visits for vaccine administration. Potential facilitating factors include increasing education and awareness about the vaccine, involvement of political figures and the media, and the use of mobile and home-based clinics.

Conclusion: In order to create a successful cervical cancer prevention program, public health practitioners must engage families, communities, the health sector, schools, and the government in order to improve HPV and cervical cancer prevention education and develop strategies to reduce HPV and cervical cancer while improving screening rates and access to the vaccine.