Mathiwos Wondu-Yeethiopia Cancer Society Role in Implementation of Community-Based Cervical Cancer Control Projects Across Three Regions in Ethiopia

Background and context: Cervical cancer is the world's deadliest but most easily preventable forms of cancer for women. It is a major cause of morbidity and mortality among women in sub-Saharan Africa. In Ethiopia estimates showed there are 20.90 million women ages 15 years and older who are at risk for developing cervical cancer. Current estimates indicate that every year 4648 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer and 3235 die of the disease. Cervical cancer cited as the 2nd most frequent cancer among women in Ethiopia, where 13.4% of women cancer is due to cervical cancer only next to breast cancer (31%). Understanding the burden posed by cervical cancer led to the development of a national strategy for prevention and control of this disease. The government is implementing a single visit, see and treat strategy with visual inspection of the cervix with acetic acid (VIA) and cryotherapy treatment. This project plan to raise the awareness of women age 30 to 49 to access these VIA (cryotherapy) providing public health facilities. Aim: To contribute for prevention and control of cervical cancer in three regions in Ethiopia (Oromia, SNNPR and Addis Ababa regions). Strategy/Tactics: - Promote awareness among policy makers, pressure groups and community representatives (women leaders, Iddir leaders 1 , religious leaders, people living with HIV, youth leaders, school club representatives, health extension workers, health workers etc.). - Referral support for cervical cancer suspected women - Provide support for transportation, diagnostic cost and psycho-social support (accommodation, nutrition and counseling) for care givers and referred women. Program/Policy process: - Engaging the relevant community stakeholders for mobilizing the community to access the VIA/cryotherapy services - Engaging the key government stakeholders in implementation of the project - Working in collaboration with other local and international partners. Outcomes: Between August 2015 to January 2018 a total of 1998 (M=565, F=1433) reached with key cervical cancer awareness messages. Additionally the project sensitized 2874 (M=534, F=2340) workers about the cervical cancer prevention and control strategies. 7689 women get screened and 502 are VIA positive, 156 suspicious cases and VIA positivity rate is 6.5%. 108 women referred for advanced cancer treatment (82 alive and 26 death with cervical cancer). What was learned: Annual project review meeting and joined supervision indicated- - The awareness program for the key pressure community group has an impact and resonance effect on the awareness of the general community to get screened. - Despite the progress made by this project there are a large number of women still do no access screening of cervical cancer. Thus, integration of more effective and affordable interventions such as HPV vaccination is required to drastically eliminate cervical cancer. 1 Local Funeral Associations.