Knowledge, attitudes and beliefs about cervical cancer in Nicaraguan fertile-age women
Main Article Content
Keywords
Uterine Cervical Diseases, Uterine Neoplasms, Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
Abstract
Objective: Examine how the knowledge, attitudes and beliefs about cervical cancer influence the preventive actions in fertile-age women from three departments of Nicaragua. Materials and Methods: a phenomenological approach was implemented, with a non-probabilistic sample; fifteen women from peri-urban and rural areas of Jinotega, Chinandega and Estelí were interviewed. An in-depth semi-structured interview with open question was used. Additionally, ten health leaders were interviewed in order to expand our understanding about the research topic. Results: Knowledge about the pathology was inadequate. It was attributed to a) the etiology of the disease, b) contraceptive use, c) poor hygiene, and d) intake of some foods. The attitudes toward a possible diagnosis were mostly fatalistic even among health leaders. This disease is viewed as incurable and deadly; it is also the source of shame and sadness. The beliefs about the etiology of the disease were explained by religious considerations or attributed to non-appropriate sexual behaviors. Conclusions: The negative influence of the inadequate knowledge, popular beliefs and fatalistic attitudes was evident. Because of this, women are not capable of perceiving the risks in contracting this disease. They will not get their Pap test or seek health services in time. Thus, the educational strategies for rural Nicaraguan women should be reinforced and planned differently.
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