308174
A Community-Based Participatory Approach to Health Communication & Education for Cervical Cancer in Kisenyi, Uganda
Methods:We conducted key informant interviews followed by serial community forums with purposeful sampling and compared the perspectives of women in Kisenyi (N=30) to healthcare workers (HCW) at the local and tertiary care center levels (N=61) in a participatory, iterative process. Key themes identified included format, content, language, message delivery and target population.
Results: Women in Kisenyi see demonstration as a key part of an educational intervention and not solely a didactic session whereas health professionals emphasized the biomedical content and natural history of cervical cancer. Using local language and translation with locally accessible terminology was more of a priority for women in Kisenyi than clinicians. Simple language with a clear message was essential for both groups. The inclusion of men in educational interventions was seen as a key factor to a successful program and Somali women were identified as a key target population.
Conclusions: Localization of language and reciprocal communication between community members and HCW and the use of demonstration by lay leaders is a central process in the transformation of cervical cancer screening to a participatory process that is community led and not just provider driven. This is important in scaling-up cervical cancer screening programs in Kisenyi and will be a key factor in developing health promotion interventions for this purpose.
Learning Areas:
Advocacy for health and health educationPlanning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs
Learning Objectives:
Compare the ideal format, content, language and message delivery of cervical cancer educational interventions from the perspectives of women in the community and health care providers.
Keyword(s): Cancer and Women’s Health, Health Promotion and Education
Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: As a co-investigator on this project since 2007 I bring extensive experience in Kampala. My skills in operationalizing key project objectives on the ground has enabled me to build long-lasting relationships with key community stakeholders. Additionally my training in public health in combination with clinical skills as a gynecologist bring a mix of practical experience in the logistics of VIA & colposcopy and contributions to the bigger picture health services aspects of the research.
Any relevant financial relationships? No
I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.