A protocol for exploring health promoter-led mental wellness initiatives for early prevention, screening, and quality of life in cervical cancer patients of rural Eastern Cape, South Africa: a mixed-method study
1
Public Health, Walter Sisulu University, Mthatha, South Africa
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A2597
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Cervical cancer is in the top five list of highly prevalent cancers. It contributes to millions of premature deaths globally. Low- and middle-income countries like those in sub-Saharan Africa are among the worst affected despite the preventable nature of the disease. The disease is caused by the human papillomavirus, a sexually transmitted infection for which an effective vaccine exists. This study aims to determine the effectiveness of a health promoter-led intervention on early screening, prevention, and quality of life improvement among patients with cervical cancer.
METHODS:
The study will be conducted at the Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital and St. Elizabeth Hospital in the Eastern Cape, South Africa, using an exploratory sequential mixed-methods design comprising qualitative and quantitative sub-studies. Qualitatively, purposive sampling will be used to recruit 20 cervical patients and healthcare workers from two oncology units for in-depth interviews and focus group discussions. These sessions will be audio-recorded, transcribed, and analysed using NVivo 15. Quantitatively, 128 cervical cancer patients will be divided into two study groups, with 64 patients per hospital. The study will employ validated tools, such as the WHO Quality of Life tool to assess quality of life, the General Anxiety Disorder-7 scale, and the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 for anxiety and depression. Data will be captured in Microsoft Excel and analysed descriptively using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) 29, utilising means, standard deviations, medians, and interquartile ranges, as appropriate, based on the distribution's normality. Groups will be compared using an appropriate t-test, chi-squared test, Wilcoxon sum-ranked test, and/or Fisher’s exact test.
CONCLUSIONS:
Findings will highlight unmet mental health needs among cervical cancer survivors in the Eastern Cape, recommending policy enhancements like integrated psychosocial support, routine depression and anxiety screenings, and community health promotion programs to improve cancer care.
Cervical cancer is in the top five list of highly prevalent cancers. It contributes to millions of premature deaths globally. Low- and middle-income countries like those in sub-Saharan Africa are among the worst affected despite the preventable nature of the disease. The disease is caused by the human papillomavirus, a sexually transmitted infection for which an effective vaccine exists. This study aims to determine the effectiveness of a health promoter-led intervention on early screening, prevention, and quality of life improvement among patients with cervical cancer.
METHODS:
The study will be conducted at the Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital and St. Elizabeth Hospital in the Eastern Cape, South Africa, using an exploratory sequential mixed-methods design comprising qualitative and quantitative sub-studies. Qualitatively, purposive sampling will be used to recruit 20 cervical patients and healthcare workers from two oncology units for in-depth interviews and focus group discussions. These sessions will be audio-recorded, transcribed, and analysed using NVivo 15. Quantitatively, 128 cervical cancer patients will be divided into two study groups, with 64 patients per hospital. The study will employ validated tools, such as the WHO Quality of Life tool to assess quality of life, the General Anxiety Disorder-7 scale, and the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 for anxiety and depression. Data will be captured in Microsoft Excel and analysed descriptively using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) 29, utilising means, standard deviations, medians, and interquartile ranges, as appropriate, based on the distribution's normality. Groups will be compared using an appropriate t-test, chi-squared test, Wilcoxon sum-ranked test, and/or Fisher’s exact test.
CONCLUSIONS:
Findings will highlight unmet mental health needs among cervical cancer survivors in the Eastern Cape, recommending policy enhancements like integrated psychosocial support, routine depression and anxiety screenings, and community health promotion programs to improve cancer care.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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