Dirk M. van der Wal
South Africa
Review Article
Nurses Perceptions about Reasons for Women’s Non-utilisation of Cervical
Cancer Screening Services in Malawi
Author(s): Melanie Yandakale Hami, Valerie Janet Ehlers and Dirk M. van der WalMelanie Yandakale Hami, Valerie Janet Ehlers and Dirk M. van der Wal
Malawi offers free cervical cancer screening services in some government health institutions, but most cervical cancer cases are diagnosed during the late inoperable stages. This study attempted to identify, from nurse/midwives’ perspectives, reasons why most Malawian women fail to use cervical cancer screening services. A cross-sectional, exploratory, descriptive design was used and semi-structured interviews were conducted to collect data from the nurses. Purposively selected 14 nurse/midwives were interviewed. Malawian women’s non-utilisation of cervical cancer screening services was reportedly influenced by a shortage of nurse/midwives, inadequate health education, limited resources, unfavourable screening schedules, and geographic distances from these services. These identified factors need to be addressed to enable more women to use the available free cervical cancer.. View More»
