Abstract:
Aim:
Screening for early detection and treatment of cervical cancer is a cornerstone of prevention. The purpose of this study was to assess
the awareness in women about the utilization of cervical cancer screening services in Vhembe District, South Africa.
Methods:
This cross-sectional study involved a random selection of 500 women aged 20-59 years in Vhembe District, Limpopo Province,
South Africa. Data was collected via a self-structured questionnaire on the demographic variables, provision, utilization and
awareness of cervical cancer screening services.
Results:
The majority of the participants agreed to have cervical cancer screening services in their clinics (79.2%), and never had a Pap smear
(58.6%). Most women would not go for cervical cancer screening, mainly because of a lack of facilities (30.0%), fear of pain
(24.4%), and embarrassment (15.2%). Most participants indicated that Pap smear test meant scraping the cervix to detect abnormal
cancerous cells (39.2%) and 34.2% did not know a Pap smear. Majority of the participants indicated Pap smears should be done
every 10 years (65.8%); Pap smears could detect cervical cancer earlier (66.8%), and had heard about cervical cancer (71.6%). The
majority of the participants considered cervical cancer as a serious problem to warrant considerable attention (59.4%); and some
perceived cervical cancer as transmittable through multiple sexual partners (22.2%). The majority of the participants were aware of a
vaccine against cervical cancer for girls at school (69.0%), and it was indicated that government should use health education to
encourage women to attend cervical screening services (51.6%).
Conclusion:
Despite the free availability of cervical cancer screening services and awareness, the utilization of cervical cancer screening services
is low. There is a need to intensify cervical screening health talks and campaigns, and to provide alternative accessible options for
screening services for women in rural areas.
