2019 CERVICAL CANCER PREVENTION WEEK TAGGED “SMEAR IT, KNOW YOUR STATUS” HELD AT PRIMARY HEALTHCARE CENTRE, NASSARAWA, BACOCO, 8 MILES, CALABAR ON SAT 26TH JAN., 2019

 

Implementing NGO: Pink Africa Foundation

 

Support Partners: Aggiewinsor Trust Foundation, Pathfinder International, Federation of Muslim Women’s Association of Nigeria (FOMWAN), Female Leadership Forum (FLF), Primary Healthcare Development Agency (PHCDA), Church Girl Magazine.

 

INTRODUCTION:

January is earmarked globally as the Cervical Cancer Prevention/Awareness Month. Cervical cancer is the most common gynecological cancer among women in the developing countries. However, it is also treatable, especially if detected early. Treatment methods include cryotherapy, surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

 

PURPOSE OF OUTREACH:

The 1-day outreach was structured to achieve four (4) aims:

  1. Educate women of reproductive age of the risk factors, symptoms and treatment methods of cervical caner
  2. Carry out a free visual inspection of the cervix (VIA) screening test to determine status of individuals.
  3. Refer ‘positive’ patients to the General Hospital, Calabar for cryotherapy treatment.
  4. Provide free drugs for patients suffering from other infections of the cervix.

 

VOLUNTEER TEAM:

The PAF team comprised of twenty seven (27) volunteers, including 13 from PAF, 5 from Aggiewinsor, 4 from Pathfinder, 5 from FOMWAN. Among them were medical doctors, nurses, other healthcare workers, and non-medical personnel.

 

PUBLICITY:

The outreach was publicized with interviews on CRBC Radio 105.5FM on Thursday January 24, 2019 and a subsequent CRBC TV appearance on Good Morning Cross River on the same day. Consultative meetings were also held with the Community Leader, Nassarawa Community, Alh. Sani, and FOMWAN, to disseminate information via their channels in places of worship, markets, etc.

 

OUTCOMES:

No. of Women Registered: 208

No. of Women Screened: 128

No. of Women Not Screened/Menstruating: 78

Negative Results: 86

Women with Infections (PIDS and Cervitis): 37

Women Advised to Repeat Pap Smear: 4

Positive Result: 1

Demographics: 95% Northern Muslims, 5% Southern Christians

 

CHALLENGES:

Transportation of members and equipment to and fro the outreach site was delayed due to the lack of a transport means.

 

CONCLUSION:

The purpose of the outreach was achieved, and the benefitting women expressed immense gratitude.

 

Pink Africa Foundation is grateful to our sponsors, partners and volunteers for their support.

 

Thank you.