Community engagement in the development of cervical cancer educational programs in rural Nigeria

: 1.066_NEP Community engagement in the development of cervical cancer educational programs in rural Nigeria F. Ishola; Global Youth Coalition against Cancer, Abuja, Nigeria; Atlas Service Corps, Washington, DC, USA Background: In Nigeria, cervical cancer is the second most common cancer and the second leading cause of cancer deaths among women 15 to 44 years of age. About 14,089 cervical cancer cases and 8240 cervical cancer deaths occur annually. Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid (VIA) Screen and Treat approach for cervical cancer prevention has been proven as safe, effective and appropriate in resource poor settings like Nigeria; however, it needs to be complemented with cervical cancer education and awareness that resonate with the target population. This study aims to understand women’s perception of cervical cancer and their preferences on cervical cancer information delivery with a view to developing culturally appropriate cervical cancer educational programs. Methods: This qualitative study utilized semi structured one to one interviews and focus group discussions for data collection and occurred between January and March 2015 in Ifon community, Osun State. Thirty three participants purposively sampled included 15 local women, 4 peer educators, 9 cervical cancer survivors and 5 community health workers aged 20 to 69 years living or working in the target community. Informed consent was obtained from participants and participation was voluntary. Interviews and FGDs were audiotaped, transcribed and analyzed for recurring themes and patterns. Findings: Women had little or no knowledge of cervical cancer and the availability of screening services. There were various myths and misconceptions regarding cervical cancer, its causes and treatment. Women preferred interpersonal, one on one verbal communication with individuals familiar with the people and culture of the community such as community health workers, religious and community leaders, volunteers and survivors. They believed contextualization of cervical cancer information will improve comprehension and that the use of frequently visited forums such as village meetings, women’s groups, religious gatherings, and traditional healing centres will help to reach more women with cervical cancer information. Interpretation: Perspective of the community is vital in the development of culturally appropriate cervical cancer educational programs. Cervical cancer education initiatives should be adapted to local context. It should also be interpersonal and community driven with genuine community ownership and participation. Funding: No funding source. Abstract #: 1.068_NEP: 1.068_NEP The PRIDE (populations, research, interventions, diseases, exposures) model: a new framework for defining global health K.H. Jacobsen, R.L. Skolnik, G. Martin; Department of Global & Community Health, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, USA, Department of Health Policy, Yale School of Public Health and Yale School of Management, New Haven, CT, USA, Globalization and Health, BioMed Central, London, UK Purpose: In the decade or so since global health emerged as a common term, the global health umbrella has come to cover a wide variety of activities. Because the boundaries of the field remain undefined, many universities and research centers are uncertain about the appropriate types of activities to include their global health portfolios. We propose a five-point framework for defining the projects, programs, policies, and papers that might most appropriately be labelled as global health activities and included as priorities for institutional planning and outreach. The main points of the framework can be summarized with the acronym PRIDE. Structure/Design: (1) Population: Global health focuses on public health issues that affect a diversity of populations and world regions. To fall under the global health umbrella, a clinical activity, research study, or intervention must have a population-focused orientation that addresses transnational issues. (2) Research: Global health uses a multidisciplinary set of comparative research methods to explore the economic, environmental, epidemiological, political, social, and other factors that influence health. Global health research also examines health transitions, identifies emerging public health priorities, and tests the effectiveness of interventions. (3) Interventions: Global health is committed to identifying, designing, implementing, and evaluating cost-effective, sustainable, and scalable technologies and interventions for improving large-scale population health status. Global health prioritizes the reduction of health disparities and the prevention of disease, disability, and premature death. (4) Diseases: Global health covers the full spectrum of health issues across the lifespan and recognizes the “one health” concept of the interconnectedness of human, animal, and ecological health. (5) Exposures: Global health uses a human rights and equity lens

Background: In Nigeria, cervical cancer is the second most common cancer and the second leading cause of cancer deaths among women 15 to 44 years of age. About 14,089 cervical cancer cases and 8240 cervical cancer deaths occur annually. Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid (VIA) Screen and Treat approach for cervical cancer prevention has been proven as safe, effective and appropriate in resource poor settings like Nigeria; however, it needs to be complemented with cervical cancer education and awareness that resonate with the target population. This study aims to understand women's perception of cervical cancer and their preferences on cervical cancer information delivery with a view to developing culturally appropriate cervical cancer educational programs.
Methods: This qualitative study utilized semi structured one to one interviews and focus group discussions for data collection and occurred between January and March 2015 in Ifon community, Osun State. Thirty three participants purposively sampled included 15 local women, 4 peer educators, 9 cervical cancer survivors and 5 community health workers aged 20 to 69 years living or working in the target community. Informed consent was obtained from participants and participation was voluntary. Interviews and FGDs were audiotaped, transcribed and analyzed for recurring themes and patterns.
Findings: Women had little or no knowledge of cervical cancer and the availability of screening services. There were various myths and misconceptions regarding cervical cancer, its causes and treatment. Women preferred interpersonal, one on one verbal communication with individuals familiar with the people and culture of the community such as community health workers, religious and community leaders, volunteers and survivors. They believed contextualization of cervical cancer information will improve comprehension and that the use of frequently visited forums such as village meetings, women's groups, religious gatherings, and traditional healing centres will help to reach more women with cervical cancer information.
Interpretation: Perspective of the community is vital in the development of culturally appropriate cervical cancer educational programs. Cervical cancer education initiatives should be adapted to local context. It should also be interpersonal and community driven with genuine community ownership and participation. Purpose: In the decade or so since global health emerged as a common term, the global health umbrella has come to cover a wide variety of activities. Because the boundaries of the field remain undefined, many universities and research centers are uncertain about the appropriate types of activities to include their global health portfolios. We propose a five-point framework for defining the projects, programs, policies, and papers that might most appropriately be labelled as global health activities and included as priorities for institutional planning and outreach. The main points of the framework can be summarized with the acronym PRIDE.
Structure/Design: (1) Population: Global health focuses on public health issues that affect a diversity of populations and world regions. To fall under the global health umbrella, a clinical activity, research study, or intervention must have a population-focused orientation that addresses transnational issues. (2) Research: Global health uses a multidisciplinary set of comparative research methods to explore the economic, environmental, epidemiological, political, social, and other factors that influence health. Global health research also examines health transitions, identifies emerging public health priorities, and tests the effectiveness of interventions. (3) Interventions: Global health is committed to identifying, designing, implementing, and evaluating cost-effective, sustainable, and scalable technologies and interventions for improving large-scale population health status. Global health prioritizes the reduction of health disparities and the prevention of disease, disability, and premature death. (4) Diseases: Global health covers the full spectrum of health issues across the lifespan and recognizes the "one health" concept of the interconnectedness of human, animal, and ecological health. New and emerging priorities for global health M a y eJ u n e 2 0 1 6 : 3 9 7 -4 3 6