Ali SM, Clark MT, Khedher Ghalib A, Skirton H, Donaldson C. "We don't have up to date knowledge about the disease" Practical challenges encountered in delivery of cervical cancer screening in Iraq.
Eur J Cancer Care (Engl) 2021;
30:e13457. [PMID:
33932055 DOI:
10.1111/ecc.13457]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2020] [Revised: 01/27/2021] [Accepted: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
This qualitative study aimed to explore the lived experience of medical doctors in delivering cervical cancer screening in a city in Iraq.
METHODS
An applied grounded theory approach explored the reported experiences of doctors in the field. A purposive sample of 12 gynaecologists and one general practitioner (GP) working in two main hospitals participated: Semi-structured interviews took place from June to September 2015. Thematic coding of data was peer reviewed and included participant reading of transcripts and translations from Arabic to English. Theory generation involved synthesis of a prior literature review and interview findings.
RESULTS
Gynaecologist and GP experiences showed overwhelming gaps in cervical cancer experience and screening. Iraqi women mainly presented for help with late-stage cancer. Practical barriers included cultural stigma, low priority for women's health needs, lack of knowledgeable leadership and perceived shortage of adequately trained staff.
CONCLUSION
There is an urgent need for culturally appropriate cervical cancer prevention policies and strategies in Iraq, focused on evidence-based population-based cervical screening to identify and prevent advanced cervical cancer among women. Regional educational initiatives should be encouraged and primary healthcare systems supported to undertake screening.
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