Open AccessEvaluation of a Smartphone-Based Training Strategy Among Health Care Workers Screening for Cervical Cancer in Northern Tanzania: The Kilimanjaro Method
Author(s) -
Karen Yeates,
Jessica Sleeth,
Wilma M. Hopman,
Ophira Ginsburg,
Katharine Heus,
Linda Wasmer Andrews,
Mary Rose Giattas,
Safina Yuma,
Godwin Macheku,
Aziz Msuya,
Olola Oneko
Publication year - 2016
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.2015.001768
Subject(s) - tanzania , medicine , mentorship , cervical cancer , health care , mhealth , medical education , family medicine , nursing , cancer , psychological intervention , environmental science , environmental planning , economics , economic growth
Almost nine of 10 deaths resulting from cervical cancer occur in low-income countries. Visual inspection under acetic acid (VIA) is an evidence-based, cost-effective approach to cervical cancer screening (CCS), but challenges to effective implementation include health provider training costs, provider turnover, and skills retention. We hypothesized that a smartphone camera and use of cervical image transfer for real-time mentorship by experts located distantly across a closed user group through a commercially available smartphone application would be both feasible and effective in enhancing VIA skills among CCS providers in Tanzania.