Factors Contributing To Cervical Cancer among Women at Intermediate Hospital Oshakati, Oshana Region, Namibia

Jacob S, Anna S and Namhidi M

Published on: 2021-08-22

Abstract

Introduction: Globally, cervical cancer is a major public health issue causing increasing morbidity and mortality especially in low- and middle-income countries like Namibia where efforts of prevention and corrective measures are lacking. In Oshana, cervical cancer is the most common cancer among women regardless of age although the most vulnerable might be the old age. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to identify factors associated with cervical cancer among women in Intermediate Hospital Oshakati, Oshana region.

Method: The study was conducted on 15 women in medical ward (ward 4) at Intermediate Hospital Oshakati using a quantitative (descriptive) research design was used in this study. Purposive sampling was used to select the sample.

Results: This study has found that cervical cancer was equally affecting woman from the age of 31 – 60 years old:  a) 21 – 30 years old - 13%, b) 31 – 40 years old - 33%, 41 – 50 years old - 27% and 51 – 60 – 27%).  Most of the respondents (80%) have been diagnosed/living with cervical cancer for more than 3 years. The majority respondent do think that cervical cancer is a results of old age 53% or oral contraceptives 33%, while very few thought is us a results of life style (7%) or lack of knowledge (7%). Respondent are also very much well informed about the importance of the effectiveness of Pap smear and consider it very effective (73%) or simply effective (20%).

Discussion and Conclusion: The study revealed that preventive measures were important to all women in order to minimize the chances of infection among women. Suggested strategies were screening, education, and intensifying the health service delivery. The researcher recommended vaccination, screening, Pap smear and social mobilization of communities to educate them about the risk factors, impact and prevention of cervical cancer.