Acceptability and implementation challenges of smartphone-based training of community health nurses for visual inspection with acetic acid in Ghana : mHealth and cervical cancer screening
Asgary, Ramin (Weill Cornell Medicine. Department of Medicine)
Cole, Helen (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Institut de Ciència i Tecnologia Ambientals)
Adongo, Philip (University of Ghana. Social and Behavioral Sciences (Ghana))
Nwameme, Ada (University of Ghana. Social and Behavioral Sciences (Ghana))
Maya, Ernest (University of Ghana. Population, Family and Reproductive Health (Ghana))
Adu-Amankwah, Amanda (University of Ghana. Population, Family and Reproductive Health (Ghana))
Barnett, Hannah (George Washington University. Milken Institute of Public Health. Global Health (USA))
Adanu, Richard (Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital (Ghana))

Date:	2019
Abstract:	Objective To explore acceptability and feasibility of smartphone-based training of low-level to mid-level health professionals in cervical cancer screening using visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA)/cervicography. Design In 2015, we applied a qualitative descriptive approach and conducted semi-structured interviews and focus groups to assess the perceptions and experiences of community health nurses (CHNs) (n=15) who performed smartphone-based VIA, patients undergoing VIA/cryotherapy (n=21) and nurse supervisor and the expert reviewer (n=2). Setting Community health centres (CHCs) in Accra, Ghana. Results The 3-month smartphone-based training and mentorship was perceived as an important and essential complementary process to further develop diagnostic and management competencies. Cervical imaging provided peer-to-peer learning opportunities, and helped better communicate the procedure to and gain trust of patients, provide targeted education, improve adherence and implement quality control. None of the patients had prior screening; they overwhelmingly accepted smartphone-based VIA, expressing no significant privacy issues. Neither group cited significant barriers to performing or receiving VIA at CHCs, the incorporation of smartphone imaging and mentorship via text messaging. CHNs were able to leverage their existing community relationships to address a lack of knowledge and misperceptions. Patients largely expressed decision-making autonomy regarding screening. Negative views and stigma were present but not significantly limiting, and the majority felt that screening strategies were acceptable and effective. Conclusions Our findings suggest the overall acceptability of this approach from the perspectives of all stakeholders with important promises for smartphone-based VIA implementation. Larger-scale health services research could further provide important lessons for addressing this burden in low-income and middle-income countries.
Note:	Unidad de excelencia María de Maeztu MdM-2015-0552
Rights:	Aquest document està subjecte a una llicència d'ús Creative Commons. Es permet la reproducció total o parcial, la distribució, la comunicació pública de l'obra i la creació d'obres derivades, sempre que no sigui amb finalitats comercials, i sempre que es reconegui l'autoria de l'obra original.
Language:	Anglès
Document:	Article ; recerca ; Versió publicada
Published in:	BMJ open, Vol. 9, Issue 7 (July 2019) , p. e030528, ISSN 2044-6055

DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2019-030528
PMID: 31315879

11 p, 250.9 KB

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Research literature > UAB research groups literature > Research Centres and Groups (research output) > Experimental sciences > Institut de Ciència i Tecnologia Ambientals (ICTA)
Articles > Research articles
Articles > Published articles