Open AccessUse of Mixed Method Approach on the Norms and Beliefs Related to Cervical Cancer Screening Among Women Aged 25-49 in Botswana: A Pilot Study
Author(s) -
Esther Ntsayagae,
B. Koyabe,
Thenjiwe Emily Major,
Olefile Bethuel Molwane,
Barati Monare
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
journal of global oncology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.002
H-Index - 17
ISSN - 2378-9506
DOI - 10.1200/jgo.18.38500
Subject(s) - theory of planned behavior , medicine , cervical cancer , focus group , psychological intervention , normative , qualitative research , cervical screening , affect (linguistics) , health belief model , qualitative property , exploratory research , social cognitive theory , social psychology , cancer , public health , health education , nursing , psychology , control (management) , social science , philosophy , anthropology , business , sociology , computer science , management , communication , epistemology , marketing , machine learning , economics
Background: A low cervical cancer screening uptake has been reported among women in low middle income countries (Idowu et al, 2016; Ndejjo et al, 2016), including Botswana. An important first step in increasing any health related behavior is to identify factors that affect that behavior. Identifying the norms and beliefs could influence cancer screening among women and would therefore influence the development of interventions to encourage women to screen. Aim: The aim of this exploratory pilot study was to investigate the norms and beliefs related to cancer screening among women aged 25-49 years in Botswana. Methods: The study employs a descriptive cross-sectional mixed-methods design in two purposively selected districts in Botswana. In the first qualitative phase focus group discussions were conducted. Information learned was used to construct a semistructured interview guide for individual interviews. Mixed method allows for triangulation of data as the qualitative data would be mapped with quantitative data to explore emerging norms and beliefs among Batswana women. This research approach was informed by theory of reasoned action, theory of planned behavior and social cognitive theory. Results: Qualitative results revealed that lack of knowledge about cervical cancer, behavioral beliefs, normative beliefs and control beliefs held by Batswana women contributed to their failure to go for cervical cancer screening. Quantitative data are yet to be analyzed. Conclusion: The results will yield information to design and evaluate a series of interventions to maximize the number of women going for cervical screening hence reduce the burden of cervical cancer in Botswana.