Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39580393›Full record

ArticleBMC women's health2024

Experiences of women living with cervical cancer in Ghana: challenges and coping strategies.

Joyce Agyeiwaa, Abigail Kusi-Amponsah Diji, Sarah Ama Amoo, Hayford Asare, Dorcas Yeboah, Godwin Antwi, Anita Efua Davies, Francis Diji, Nancy Innocentia Ebu Enyan

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BMC women's health, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
3citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

3 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Review
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Joyce AgyeiwaaDepartment of Maternal and Child Health, School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana. joyce.agyeiwaa@ucc.edu.gh.
Abigail Kusi-Amponsah DijiSchool of Nursing and Midwifery, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.
Sarah Ama AmooDepartment of Adult Health, School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana.
Hayford AsareSchool of Nursing and Midwifery, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.
Dorcas YeboahDirectorate of Oncology, Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Kumasi, Ghana.
Godwin AntwiSchool of Nursing and Midwifery, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.
Anita Efua DaviesDepartment of Adult Health, School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana.
Francis DijiDirectorate of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Kumasi, Ghana.
Nancy Innocentia Ebu EnyanDepartment of Public Health Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana.

Funding

Directorate of Research, Innovation and Consultancy of the University of Cape Coast RSG/INDI/CoHAS/2022/102
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundCervical cancer is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among women globally. The condition is both preventable and treatable yet remains a leading cause of cancer death in Ghana. This study aims to explore the unique experiences of women living with cervical cancer with a focus on the challenges and coping strategies.

methodsThe study employed a qualitative approach with an exploratory, descriptive design. This study was conducted among women with cervical cancer aged 18 years and above who have been diagnosed with the disease for at least 3 months. A total of 16 participants were purposively sampled based on the eligibility criteria and individually interviewed using a semi-structured guide. The six-step technique for qualitative analysis by Braun and Clarke guided data analysis.

resultsMost participants resorted to self-medication, over-the-counter drugs and herbal preparations as a first line of defense against the disease. The presence of cervical cancer affected participants' physical and mental well-being. Other challenges included financial burden and frequent equipment breakdowns which affected patients' treatment. Participants adopted different coping strategies such as taking blood tonic, increased rest and sleep, spiritual prayers and recreational activities. Family members, friends, the church and health workers provided support in the area of finance, advice, meal preparation and house chores, prayers and counseling to participants.

conclusionsCervical cancer affects the quality of life of many women and their significant others. The condition puts a lot of financial burden on its victims and there is the need for a system to reduce the burden on patients. It is recommended that the treatment of cervical cancer should be covered by the National Health Insurance Scheme to ease the financial burden on patients. There is a need for expansion of access to cervical cancer treatment across the country to reduce patients' burden and relieve the pressure on the few pieces of equipment at the current treatment centres.

Indexed as

Adaptation, PsychologicalQualitative ResearchUterine Cervical NeoplasmsAdultCoping SkillsCost of IllnessFemaleGhanaHumansMiddle AgedQuality of LifeSocial SupportAdaptationsCancer of the cervixGhanaProblems

Identifiers

PMID39580393
PMCPMC11585222

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.