Article Sidebar

Download
Download Article

Main Article Content

Abstract

Cervical cancer poses a considerable public health challenge in South Africa, necessitating effective screening programs for early detection and prevention. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted healthcare services, including cervical cancer screening, posing challenges to disease management efforts. This study aimed to assess cervical cancer incidence and screening practices among beneficiaries within three major South African medical schemes, analysing trends from 2017 to 2022. Retrospective data were collected to evaluate incidence rates and screening coverage, considering the impact of the pandemic. Screening coverage declined during the epidemic, recovering in 2021 but declining again in 2022. Different health plans showed a more than forty per cent fall in cervical cancer screening rates between 2021 and 2022, with 2022 having the lowest level, even lower than the COVID-19 era. The trends indicate COVID-19 interruptions have a negative impact post-COVID-19. Recommendations include targeted outreach, telemedicine options, and strengthened collaboration to enhance screening programs and mitigate pandemic-related disruptions. This study contributes valuable insights into cervical cancer management, highlighting the need for proactive measures to ensure the continuity of essential healthcare interventions amid public health emergencies.

Keywords

Beneficiaries Cervical Cancer COVID-19 Healthcare Services Incidence Rates Medical Schemes Screening Coverage South Africa

Article Details

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

How to Cite
Willie, M., & Kabane, S. (2024). Cervical Cancer Screening: An Analysis of Three Large South African Medical Schemes. Golden Ratio of Data in Summary, 4(2), 224–235. https://doi.org/10.52970/grdis.v4i2.408
Download Citation
Endnote/Zotero/Mendeley (RIS)
BibTeX

References

  1. Hull, R., Mbele, M., Makhafola, T., Hicks, C., Wang, M., Reis, R. M., Mehrotra, R., Mkhize-Kwitshana, Z., Kibiki, G., Bates, D. O., & Dlamini, Z. (2020). Cervical cancer in low and middle-income countries. Oncology Letters, 20(3), 2058-2074. https://doi.org/10.3892/ol.2020.11754
  2. Zhang, X., Zeng, Q., Cai, W., et al. (2021). Trends of cervical cancer at global, regional, and national level: data from the Global Burden of Disease study 2019. BMC Public Health, 21, 894. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-021-10907-5
  3. Fisher-Borne, M., Isher-Witt, J., Comstock, S., & Perkins, R. B. (2021). Understanding COVID-19’s impact on cervical, breast, and colorectal cancer screening among federally qualified healthcare centres participating in “Back on track with screening” quality improvement projects. Preventive Medicine, 151, 106681. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ypmed.2021.106681
  4. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. (2021, April). Updated cervical cancer screening guidelines (Practice Advisory No. [insert number here]). Retrieved from https://www.acog.org/clinical/clinical-guidance/practice-advisory/articles/2021/04/updated-cervical-cancer-screening-guidelines
  5. Basoya, S., & Anjankar, A. (2022). Cervical Cancer: Early Detection and Prevention in Reproductive Age Group. Cureus, 14(11). https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.31312
  6. Boardman, C. H., & Randall, L. M. (Chief Editors). (2022, May 13). Cervical Cancer Guidelines. In J. S. Carter (Ed.), Medscape. Retrieved [insert retrieval date], from https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/253513-guidelines?form=fpf
  7. Gupta, S., Nagtode, N., Chandra, V., & Gomase, K. (2023). From Diagnosis to Treatment: Exploring the Latest Management Trends in Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia. Cureus, 15(12). https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.50291
  8. Zhang, S., Xu, H., Zhang, L., & Qiao, Y. (2020). Cervical cancer: Epidemiology, risk factors and screening. Chinese Journal of Cancer Research, 32(6), 720-728. https://doi.org/10.21147/j.issn.1000-9604.2020.06.05
  9. Rine, S., Lara, S. T., Bikomeye, J. C., Beltrán-Ponce, S., Kibudde, S., Niyonzima, N., Lawal, O. O., Mulamira, P., & Beyer, K. M. (2023). The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on cancer care including innovations implemented in Sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic review. Journal of Global Health, 13. https://doi.org/10.7189/jogh.13.06048
  10. Petersen, Z., Jaca, A., Ginindza, T. G., et al. (2022). Barriers to uptake of cervical cancer screening services in low-and-middle-income countries: a systematic review. BMC Women’s Health, 22, 486. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12905-022-02043-y
  11. Lee, J., Ismail-Pratt, I., Machalek, D. A., Kumarasamy, S., & Garland, S. M. (2023). The recovery strategies to support cervical cancer elimination in lower-and middle-income countries (LMICs) following COVID-19 disruptions. Preventive Medicine Reports, 35. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pmedr.2023.102291
  12. Yang, L., Boily, C., Rönn, M. M., Obiri-Yeboah, D., Morhason-Bello, I., Meda, N., Lompo, O., Mayaud, P., Pickles, M., Brisson, M., Hodgins, C., Delany-Moretlwe, S., & Maheu-Giroux, M. (2022). Regional and country-level trends in cervical cancer screening coverage in sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic analysis of population-based surveys (2000–2020). PLOS Medicine, 20(1). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1004143
  13. Chipanta, D., Kapambwe, S., Nyondo-Mipando, A. L., Pascoe, M., Amo-Agyei, S., Bohlius, J., Estill, J., & Keiser, O. (2023). Original research: Socio-economic inequalities in cervical precancer screening among women in Ethiopia, Malawi, Rwanda, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe: Analysis of Population-Based HIV Impact Assessment surveys. BMJ Open, 13(6). https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2022-067948
  14. Sharma, J., Yennapu, M., & Priyanka, Y. (2023). Screening Guidelines and Programs for Cervical Cancer Control in Countries of Different Economic Groups: A Narrative Review. Cureus, 15(6). https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.41098
  15. Okunade, K. S., Adejimi, A. A., John-Olabode, S. O., Oshodi, Y. A., & Oluwole, A. A. (2022). An Overview of HPV Screening Tests to Improve Access to Cervical Cancer Screening Amongst Underserved Populations: From Development to Implementation. Risk Management and Healthcare Policy, 15, 1823-1830. https://doi.org/10.2147/RMHP.S296914
  16. Thomsen, L. T., & Kjær, S. K. (2021). Human papillomavirus (HPV) testing for cervical cancer screening in a middle-income country: Comment on a large real-world implementation study in China. BMC Medicine, 19. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12916-021-02051-z
  17. Ponce-Chazarri, L., Ponce-Blandón, J. A., Immordino, P., Giordano, A., & Morales, F. (2023). Barriers to Breast Cancer-Screening Adherence in Vulnerable Populations. Cancers, 15(3). https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers15030604
  18. Serrano, B., Ibáñez, R., Robles, C., Peremiquel-Trillas, P., De Sanjosé, S., & Bruni, L. (2021). Worldwide use of HPV self-sampling for cervical cancer screening. Preventive Medicine, 154, 106900. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ypmed.2021.106900
  19. Lohiya, A., Daniel, R. A., Kumar, D., Varghese, C., Rath, R. S., Abdulkader, R. S., & Nongkynrih, B. (2022). Effectiveness of Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid (VIA) Screening on Cervical Cancer Mortality and Incidence - A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention : APJCP, 23(2), 399-407. https://doi.org/10.31557/APJCP.2022.23.2.399
  20. Jedy-Agba, E., Joko, W. Y., Liu, B., Buziba, N. G., Borok, M., Korir, A., Masamba, L., Manraj, S. S., Finesse, A., Wabinga, H., Somdyala, N., & Parkin, D. M. (2020). Trends in cervical cancer incidence in sub-Saharan Africa. British Journal of Cancer, 123(1), 148-154. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41416-020-0831-9
  21. Alkatout, I., Biebl, M., Momenimovahed, Z., Giovannucci, E., Hadavandsiri, F., Salehiniya, H., & Allahqoli, L. (2021). Has COVID-19 Affected Cancer Screening Programs? A Systematic Review. Frontiers in Oncology, 11. https://doi.org/10.3389/fonc.2021.675038
  22. Kumari, S., Mahla, R. S., Mangone, L., Barbareschi, M., & et al. (2020). Lockdown measures negatively impacted cancer care. American Journal of Clinical Pathology, 155(4). https://doi.org/10.1093/ajcp/aqaa243
  23. Willie., M. M. (2024). JHB PO & BOT Forum 2024. Council for Medical Schemes. Pretoria. South Africa.
  24. Nnaji, C. A., & Moodley, J. (2021). Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on cancer diagnosis, treatment and research in African health systems: A review of current evidence and contextual perspectives. Ecancermedicalscience, 15. https://doi.org/10.3332/ecancer.2021.1170
  25. Ndlovu N, Padarath A, editors. District Health Barometer 2022/23. Durban: Health Systems Trust; February 2024 WHO. (2024a). Cervical cancer. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/cervical-cancer
  26. WHO. (2024b). Global cervical cancer elimination forum: advancing the call to action [Conference summary]. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/initiatives/cervical-cancer-elimination-initiative/cervical-cancer-forum
  27. Sørbye, S. W., Falang, B. M., Botha, M. H., Snyman, L. C., Visser, C., Richter, K., & Dreyer, G. (2023). Enhancing Cervical Cancer Prevention in South African Women: Primary HPV mRNA Screening with Different Genotype Combinations. Cancers, 15(22). https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers15225453
  28. Soliman, A. T., Daar, S., Tzoulis, P., Fiscina, B., & Kattamis, C. (2022). Retrospective observational studies: Lights and shadows for medical writers. Acta Bio Medica : Atenei Parmensis, 93(5). https://doi.org/10.23750/abm.v93i5.13179
  29. Qin, J., Shahangian, S., Saraiya, M., Holt, H., Gagnon, M., & Sawaya, G. F. (2021). Trends in the use of cervical cancer screening tests in a large medical claims database, United States, 2013–2019. Gynecologic Oncology, 163(2), 378. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ygyno.2021.08.023
  30. Wang, F., Shao, W., Yu, H., Kan, G., He, X., Zhang, D., Ren, M., & Wang, G. (2020). Re-evaluation of the Power of the Mann-Kendall Test for Detecting Monotonic Trends in Hydrometeorological Time Series. Frontiers in Earth Science, 8, 494616. https://doi.org/10.3389/feart.2020.00014
  31. Wu, L.-J., Huang, S.-M., Huang, H.-M., & Lee, H.-H. (2014). A Comparison of Convenience Sampling and Purposive Sampling. Hu li za zhi The journal of nursing, 61(3), 105–111. https://doi.org/10.6224/JN.61.3.105
  32. Maree, K., & Pietersen, J. (2016). Sampling. In K. Maree (Ed.), First steps in research (2nd ed., pp. 192–202). Pretoria: Van Schaik.
  33. Golzar, J., Tajik, O., & Noor, S. (2022). Convenience Sampling. Lab: Omid Tajik’s Lab. https://doi.org/10.22034/ijels.2022.162981
  34. Thakur, J. S., Nangia, R., & Singh, S. (2021). Progress and challenges in achieving non-communicable diseases targets for the sustainable development goals. FASEB BioAdvances, 3(8), 563-568. https://doi.org/10.1096/fba.2020-00117
  35. United Nations. (2020). The Sustainable Development Goals Report 2020. Retrieved from https://unstats.un.org/sdgs/report/2020/
  36. World Health Organization. (2020). World Health Statistics 2020: Monitoring health for the SDGs. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/gho/publications/world_health_statistics/2020/en/
  37. Burger, E. A., Jansen, E., Killen, J., Kim, J. J., & et al. (2021). Impact of COVID-19-related care disruptions on cervical cancer screening in the United States. Journal of Medical Screening, 28(2), 09691413211001097. https://doi.org/10.1177/09691413211001097
  38. Wentzensen, N., Clarke, M. A., Perkins, R. B. (2021). Impact of COVID-19 on cervical cancer screening: Challenges and opportunities to improving resilience and reduce disparities. Preventive Medicine, 151(Suppl. 1), 106596. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ypmed.2021.106596
  39. Thomsen, L. T., Kjaer, S. K., Munk, C., Ørnskov, D., & Waldstrøm, M. (2021). Benefits and potential harms of human papillomavirus (HPV)-based cervical cancer screening: A real-world comparison of HPV testing versus cytology. Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica, 100(3), 394–402. https://doi.org/10.1111/aogs.14121
  40. Vahabi, M., Shahil-Feroz, A., Lofters, A., Pui-Hing Wong, J., Prakash, V., Pimple, S., Anand, K., & Mishra, G. (2023). Surviving the Storm: The Impact of COVID-19 on Cervical Cancer Screening in Low- and Middle-Income Countries. Healthcare, 11(23). https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11233079
  41. Bonadio, R. C., Messias, A. P., Moreira, O. A., Leis, L. V., Orsi, B. Z., Testa, L., & Pilar Estevez-Diz, M. D. (2021). Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on breast and cervical cancer stage at diagnosis in Brazil. Ecancermedicalscience, 15. https://doi.org/10.3332/ecancer.2021.1299
  42. Ong, S. K., Abe, S. K., Thilagaratnam, S., Haruyama, R., Pathak, R., Jayasekara, H., Togawa, K., Bhandari, K. C., Shankar, A., Nessa, A., Jugder, U., Agustina, J., Biglari, M., Yusuf, A., Tshomo, U., Fernando, E., Cairo, C., Kaung, K. K., Rath, B., . . . Hwang, Y. K. (2023). Towards elimination of cervical cancer – human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination and cervical cancer screening in Asian National Cancer Centers Alliance (ANCCA) member countries. The Lancet Regional Health: Western Pacific, 39. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lanwpc.2023.100860
  43. CMS. (2023). Industry Report 2022/2023 Pretoria: Council for Medical Schemes. South Africa. Available at: https://www.medicalschemes.co.za/the-industry-report-2022-is-here/
  44. Nkomo, P.W.F., Koch, S.F., Thsehla, E.M.M., & Willie, M.M. (2019). Optimising beneficiary choices: standardisation of medical benefit options. Health Systems Trust. Retrieved from https://www.hst.org.za/publications/South%20African%20Health%20Reviews/08%20SAHR_2019_Optimising%20beneficiary%20choices.pdf
  45. South African Minister of Health. Medical Schemes Act No. 131 of 1998. URL: https://www.gov.za/sites/default/files/ gcis_document/201409/a131-98.pdf
  46. Willie, MM, Kabane, S. Kubheka, B. (2024a)Oesophageal Pathologies as a Significant Contributor to Mortality: A Review. Unpublished report
  47. Willie, MM, Kabane, S. Kubheka, B. (2024b). Examining the Scarcity of Oncology Healthcare Providers in Cancer Management: A Case Study of the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. Unpublished report.

Similar Articles

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 > >> 

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.