BACKGROUND: Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer in women globally and the leading cause of cancer deaths in women in low income countries. The majority of cervical cancer related deaths occur in the developing world. It is also an important public health problem in Ethiopia, a country without a well-established control program for the disease. This study assessed the diagnostic and therapeutic facility for cervical cancer (including health providers' awareness of the disease) in Addis Ababa public health institutions which can be used to develop control strategies and to visualize the amount of resources required. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted including all public health institutions in Addis Ababa in August 2010. Health providers' awareness of cervical cancer was assessed using a self-administered questionnaire. Checklist was used to register diagnostic and therapeutic infrastructure in each health facility. Data was analyzed using STATA. RESULTS: All health providers responded they had heard about cervical cancer. Half of the participants were able to identify common symptoms of the disease. Only 23% of the participants mentioned human papilloma virus (HPV) as the primary cause of cervical cancer. A significant association between awareness and profession was seen. Absence of skilled manpower, equipment and proper documentation was reported in the majority of the institutions. CONCLUSION: This study assessed the existing skilled man power and infrastructure to diagnose and treat cervical cancer in public institutions in Addis Ababa which is important to develop an effective cervical cancer control program. In addition, the study showed the more work that should be done to improve health providers' awareness in cervical cancer through education and training.
BACKGROUND:Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer in women globally and the leading cause of cancer deaths in women in low income countries. The majority of cervical cancer related deaths occur in the developing world. It is also an important public health problem in Ethiopia, a country without a well-established control program for the disease. This study assessed the diagnostic and therapeutic facility for cervical cancer (including health providers' awareness of the disease) in Addis Ababa public health institutions which can be used to develop control strategies and to visualize the amount of resources required. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted including all public health institutions in Addis Ababa in August 2010. Health providers' awareness of cervical cancer was assessed using a self-administered questionnaire. Checklist was used to register diagnostic and therapeutic infrastructure in each health facility. Data was analyzed using STATA. RESULTS: All health providers responded they had heard about cervical cancer. Half of the participants were able to identify common symptoms of the disease. Only 23% of the participants mentioned human papilloma virus (HPV) as the primary cause of cervical cancer. A significant association between awareness and profession was seen. Absence of skilled manpower, equipment and proper documentation was reported in the majority of the institutions. CONCLUSION: This study assessed the existing skilled man power and infrastructure to diagnose and treat cervical cancer in public institutions in Addis Ababa which is important to develop an effective cervical cancer control program. In addition, the study showed the more work that should be done to improve health providers' awareness in cervical cancer through education and training.