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Background/Aims: Patients with gynaecological cancer undergoing treatment face numerous challenges, including issues surrounding sexual health. Sexual health is an important aspect of human life, and the negative impact of gynaecological cancer, its treatments and any side effects may cause physical, emotional and psychological distress. In sub-Saharan Africa, sexual health and childbirth form the core of marital relationships; changes in sexual response and function as a result of cancer can lead to dysfunctional relationships. This study explored the sexual health experiences of patients with gynaecological cancer at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital in Ghana. Methods: This study used an exploratory, descriptive, qualitative design. A total of 12 adults with gynaecological cancer (cervical, endometrial and ovarian) were purposively selected from the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital. Data were collected with a semi-structured interview guide through face-to-face or telephone interviews. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. Results: Four themes emerged: changes to the sex organ, changes in sex life, anxiety about treatment outcome and coping strategies. The participants had generally had healthy sex lives before being diagnosed with cancer. Psychologically, participants experienced anxiety and lacked interest in sex. Physical effects included bleeding, changes to the female organ and pain. The participants self-stigmatised in the form of low self-esteem and separation. They coped through religious means, family support and health education. Conclusions: There is a need for psychosocial interventions in the care of women with gynaecological cancers, including measures to support coping with the physical effects of the condition and its treatment. It is recommended that stakeholders in cancer care are made aware of, and make efforts to include in their care, spirituality, family support and health education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cervical cancer is one of the few preventable cancers and screening is critical to the early detection of pre-cancerous lesions and initiation of treatment. This study's aim was to determine the sociodemographic predictors of cervical cancer screening uptake in a peri-urban community in Ghana. Methods: A total of 392 randomly selected sexually active women aged 10–74 years participated in this cross-sectional study. Data were collected using structured interview schedules. Binary logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the predictors of cervical cancer screening (significance set at P<0.05). Results: Only three of the 392 participants had ever had a Pap smear test (0.8%). Women in monogamous relationships were more likely to have had a Pap smear test (P=0.001). There was a significant association between ethnicity (P=0.019), monthly family income (P=0.015) and religion (P=0.001) and having had a Pap smear test. Conclusions: It is critical that interventions to increase the uptake of cervical cancer screening aim to reduce sociodemographic inequities, in order to promote women's health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Aims: Cervical cancer prevention and elimination require a multi-faceted approach. This study explored married men's awareness of cervical cancer, their perceptions of cervical cancer screening and their willingness to support their spouses with screening. Methods: This descriptive qualitative study design recruited 15 purposively selected married men aged 20 years or older living in the Cape Coast Metropolis, Ghana. In-depth interviews were conducted with a semi-structured interview guide and data were subjected to thematic analysis. Results: There was high awareness of cervical cancer among the participants. The main themes were participants' knowledge and perception of cervical cancer and screening, and supporting partners with cervical cancer screening. Each theme had two subthemes. The subthemes regarding knowledge were 'lack of knowledge about the disease' and 'lack of knowledge of preventive measures', the subthemes on perception were 'a normal disease' and 'doctors are trained', and the subthemes for support were 'financial support' and 'encouragement'. Conclusions: Efforts to increase uptake of cervical cancer screening should focus on educating married men about the disease, as they can support their spouses to attend cervical cancer screening services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]