- Project CP05 (2022 — 2027)
- Cancer Research Programme
Eswatini has the highest rate of cervical cancer in the world. Cervical cancer is highly preventable through cervical cancer screening, among other methods. Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid (VIA) is an effective cervical cancer screening method.
Background
The World Health Organisation recommends it for use in low resource settings. Despite the availability of VIA, the rate of cervical cancer screening in Eswatini is low, with estimates as low as 5% of women aged 30–65 years having ever undergone screening.
Aims
The project aims to explore the barriers to cervical cancer screening and to develop and test culturally appropriate strategies to improve participation in VIA cervical cancer screening in Eswatini by 50% among eligible women attending participating clinics.
Project plan
In the first phase, three descriptive studies will explore barriers and enablers to cervical cancer screening from the perspective of community-dwelling women and men, community health workers, and health clinic nurses. Phase one findings will inform Phase two, where an implementation trial of evidence-based strategies to increase VIA cervical cancer screening among eligible women (such as raising community awareness, building clinic capacity for VIA screening, use of clinic champions, reminder systems, and feedback) will be developed and tested in three clinics in Eswatini.
Principal investigators
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Robert Sanson-Fisher University of Newcastle, United Kingdom
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David Hill Cancer Council Victoria, Australia
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Mariko Carey University of Newcastle, United Kingdom
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Tengetile Mathunjwa University of Eswatini
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Rob Moodie University of Melbourne and University of Malawi, AustraliaMalawi
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Christopher Doran Central Queensland University, Australia
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Xolisile Dlamini Ministry of Health
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Phinda Khumalo University of Newcastle, United Kingdom
Funding organisations
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