AbstractBackground: Non AIDS defining cancers are a rising health concern among people living with HIV. Absence of an efficient screening programme is a major concern in developing countries; other challenges are low public awareness, and generally low health care seeking behavior among women. This study aimed to assess the effect of a health education program on willingness of WLHIV to undergo cancer screening.
Objectives: The purpose of the study is to raise awareness for the importance of cancer screening to detect the disease in its earliest stages and also encourage patients to lead healthy lifestyles for the effective prevention and management of cancers through informative education on HIV related cancers and the availability of screening facilities.
Materials and Methods: A quasi experimental research design was adopted in which health education was given to 78 subjects selected by convenience sampling technique. Structured questionnaire and checklist was used to collect data before and after intervention. Health education was given by the investigator to the subjects. Those subjects who were willing underwent cancer screening for breast, cervix, oral cavity and skin.
Results: The findings of the study revealed that willingness to undergo cancer screening increased from 51.3% to 87.2% after health education which was statistically significant (p<0.001). 17(25%) availed cancer screening of which (25%) availed breast cancer screening and cervical cancer screening, 25.4% availed oral cancer screening and skin cancer screening. Of those screened two subjects (11.8%) were diagnosed to have early signs of cancer.
Conclusion: The study revealed that health education was effective in improving willingness for cancer screening among WLHIV. Health care workers need to develop educational programs for PLHIV in order to increase the awareness and influence them to avail the benefit of screening facilities for early detection of cancers.
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