Medicina Comunitária e Educação em Saúde

Abstrato

Am I Dying Soon: Cervical Cancer Patient?s Appraisal of their Diagnosis at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Anteneh Dirar* Wubegzier Mekonnen  and Zena Berhanu 

Background: Cervical cancer is a distressing disease with physical and psychosocial consequences that persisted beyond the period of diagnosis and treatments. Being diagnosed with cancer creates a stressful situation that influences both a person's personal and family life. Objective: This study sought to explore appraisal of cervical cancer diagnosis among patients on follow-up treatment at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Methods: Data were collected through in-depth interviews using a semi-structured interview guide with 11 purposively selected cervical cancer patients. The qualitative data were transcribed and analyzed via thematic analysis. Results: The findings indicated that most women were found to appraise their illness negatively and had a strong emotional reaction as soon as they heard their diagnosis of cervical cancer. Most of the women have limited awareness and misunderstanding regarding their illness. These leads to utilizing traditional/religious practices, delay in seeking medical care, and experiencing stigma in the community. Conclusion: It was concluded that enhancing cervical cancer awareness campaigns to alleviate knowledge gaps and misconceptions should be considered to help reduce delays in seeking medical care and stigmatization in the community