Accessibility and utilization of information on cervical cancer prevention among women in Dar es Salaam regional hospitals
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Date
2015
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Publisher
University of Dar es Salaam
Abstract
The main objective of this study was to examine accessibility and utilization of information on cervical cancer prevention among women in Dar es Salaam regional hospitals. A cross sectional survey design was conducted in three regional referral hospitals in Dar es Salaam from January to March 2015. Data for the study were collected from both secondary and primary sources (through face-to-face interview with key informants, researcher administered questionnaires and observations). Qualitative data were analysed through content analysis while analysis of quantitative data was done with the help of SPSS programme Version 19. Findings from the study revealed that although majority of respondents have heard about cervical cancer from various sources including doctors and nurses, still their information needs about this disease were not fully met. Radio messages were the leading approach used to disseminate cervical cancer information (80%), followed closely by outreach activities and facility based programme. Majority of respondents know the importance of information in the management of their health though not all of them used the information acquired. Various challenges such as financial problems, limited information searching skills, taboos and secrecy associated with the disease, limited time, poor infrastructures including the problem with electricity, telecommunication and transportation, and language problems hindered access to information. The study concluded that, the government should improve means of disseminating information, employ enough well trained professional health workers and build capacity for them to reach the community by providing enough funds.
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Keywords
Cervix uteri, Cancer, Women, Prevention, Information services, Dar es salaam Regional Hospitals, Tanzania
Citation
Marandu, D. S. (2015) Accessibility and utilization of information on cervical cancer prevention among women in Dar es Salaam regional hospitals, Masters’ dissertation, University of Dar es Salaam. Available at (http://41.86.178.3/internetserver3.1.2/detail.aspx)