The Facilitating Factors and Barriers for Nurses, to Utilize the Screening Services for Cervical Cancer in Tertiary Hospital of South India

Abstract

Background: Cervical cancer screening needs to be considered as an integral part of maintaining women’s health
including the healthcare providers.
Objective: The objective of the study was to assess the barriers and facilitators, women health professionals face,
when accessing the cervical cancer screening services.
Research Method: This is a descriptive, cross-sectional , mixed method study. The participants of the study were
female nurses from selected tertiary level hospital from Tamilnadu, India. For quantitative method, standardized
validated tool was used with author’s permission. The participants participated were 125 in number. Qualitative
interviews were conducted.
Results: The result showed that the common perception about the pap- smear procedure was being uncomfortable,
anxiety provoking and painful as expressed by (35.2%, 33.6 and 33.6%) respectively. This overall poor attitude
and carelessness of the female nurses may greatly hamper the screening program. Major barriers for cervical
cancer screening among the nurses were found to be as follows: 31.2% said Taking off Clothes for the screening
procedure is considered as a barrier, 20% said they do not prefer the presence of male staff during the procedure
and 20% said its time consuming.
Conclusion: To conclude, if health care providers lack health awareness, they cannot motivate their patients
to do the same. Thus, the initial step in breast and cervical cancer screening is health care providers should
focus of their own health.