Application of the hub and spokes model in improving access to cervical cancer screening in Ghana.
Ghana Med J
; 56(3): 134-140, 2022 Sep.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-37448999
ABSTRACT
Objective:
To examine the contribution of lower-level health facilities in increasing access to cervical cancer screening in the North Tongu District.Design:
A descriptive cross-sectional study design was used. The Cervical Cancer Prevention and Training Centre (CCPTC) of the Catholic Hospital, Battor, served as the hub, and six health facilities (3 health centres and 3 CHPS compounds) served as the spokes. From April 2018 to September 2019, the well-resourced CCPTC trained 6 nurses at selected Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) / Health Centres (HCs) (spokes) to provide cervical cancer screening services. The nurses, after training, started screening with VIA and HPV DNA testing.Participants:
A total of 3,451women were screened by the trained nurses. This comprised 1,935 (56.1%) from the hub and 1,516 (43.9%) from the spokes. Main outcomemeasure:
The detection of screen positives.Results:
The screen positives were 19.4% (375/1935) at the hub and 4.9% (74/1516) at the spokes.Conclusion:
We have demonstrated that a hub and spokes model for cervical cancer screening is possible in limited resource settings. Designating and resourcing a 'hub' that supports a network of 'spokes' could increase women's access to cervical cancer screening. This approach could create awareness about cervical cancer screening services and how they can be accessed.Funding:
None declared.Key words
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Uterine Cervical Neoplasms
Type of study:
Diagnostic_studies
/
Observational_studies
/
Prevalence_studies
/
Prognostic_studies
/
Risk_factors_studies
/
Screening_studies
Limits:
Female
/
Humans
Country/Region as subject:
Africa
Language:
En
Journal:
Ghana Med J
Year:
2022
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Ghana