Client satisfaction with cervical cancer screening in Malawi

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Gynecologic Oncology
• Health Services Research

Background:

• Patient and client satisfaction are crucial for healthcare program effectiveness.
• A study assessed satisfaction among women undergoing cervical cancer screening in Malawi using the Visual Inspection with Acetic acid (VIA) test.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate client satisfaction with cervical cancer screening services in Malawi.
• To identify factors associated with client satisfaction in VIA screening.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional descriptive study conducted in 16 screening centers in Malawi.
• Data collected using semi-structured questionnaires and analyzed with STATA 11.
• Logistic regression used to determine predictors of client satisfaction.

Main Results:

• 120 women participated; 68.33% reported being very satisfied with the screening service.
• Satisfaction was significantly associated with having an appointment, prior knowledge of VIA testing, proximity to the health facility, and waiting time.
• Demographic factors like age and education level did not significantly impact satisfaction, except for distance to the facility.

Conclusions:

• High levels of satisfaction were reported by women utilizing cervical cancer screening services.
• Identified challenges in screening services present opportunities for programmatic enhancement and improved patient experience.