From the Guidelines
To address cervical cancer screening in Saudi Arabia in a culturally appropriate manner, implement a comprehensive program that includes client reminders, small media, one-on-one education, and reducing structural barriers, as recommended by the Community Preventive Services Task Force guidelines 1. Key components:
- Client reminders: Send reminders to women to schedule cervical cancer screenings, which can be done through phone calls, text messages, or emails.
- Small media: Utilize small media, such as brochures, pamphlets, or social media, to raise awareness about cervical cancer screening and its importance.
- One-on-one education: Provide one-on-one education to women about cervical cancer screening, its benefits, and the available screening methods.
- Reducing structural barriers: Reduce structural barriers, such as cost, transportation, and access to healthcare facilities, to increase community access to screening. This approach respects cultural norms while providing effective screening. Education and awareness campaigns can help overcome stigma and misconceptions about cervical cancer screening. By reducing structural barriers, more women can access screening services, leading to earlier detection and treatment of cervical cancer. Additionally, consider implementing HPV vaccination programs for girls aged 9-14 and HPV DNA testing for women aged 30-65 every 5 years, as well as offering self-sampling kits for HPV testing to increase participation and respect cultural sensitivities around modesty 1. It is essential to prioritize the most recent and highest-quality study, which in this case is the 2021 guideline from the MMWR Recommendations and Reports 1, to ensure that the recommended approach is evidence-based and effective in reducing cervical cancer incidence and mortality in Saudi Arabia.
From the Research
Culturally Designed Solutions for Cervical Cancer Screening in Saudi Arabia
- The studies 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 highlight the need for culturally sensitive strategies to promote cervical cancer screening among Saudi women.
- Factors affecting the uptake of cervical cancer screening practices in Saudi Arabia include:
- Low knowledge of, and perceptions about, cervical screening among Arab women 2
- Absence of organized, systematic programs 2
- Healthcare professionals' attitudes toward screening 2
- Pain and embarrassment 2
- Stigma and sociocultural beliefs 2
- Lack of awareness and recommendation from healthcare practitioners 4, 5
- Recommended solutions include:
- Implementing population-based screening programs 2, 3
- Using HPV DNA test followed by colposcopy or cytology (Pap test) for screening 3
- Providing cryotherapy or loop excision electrosurgery procedure (LEEP) for treatment 3
- Promoting awareness and education about cervical cancer and HPV vaccine 4, 5, 6
- Launching a national cervical cancer screening program, available and accessible to all women in primary health care centers and hospitals 6
- Predictive factors for cervical cancer screening among Saudi women include: