[Educational strategy for prevention of cervical cancer in Indigenous peoples: a participatory action research...

This study aimed to evaluate changes in knowledge, attitudes, and practices on cervical cancer after an educational intervention in the framework of participatory action research with Indigenous peoples of the El Paujil reservation, Guainía, Colombia. A diagnosis was made with an intercultural and participatory approach. Subsequently, the educational strategy was designed and implemented. Community leaders actively participated in the research during all stages. The strategy was evaluated via a survey on knowledge, attitudes, and practices about cervical cancer. The effects were determined by comparing pre- and post-intervention questionnaires with the Mann-Whitney and chi-squared tests. Overall, 957 women participated in the educational strategy. The level of knowledge about cervical cancer significantly improved, increasing from 8.5% to 12.5%, before and after the intervention (p < 0.001), respectively. The percentage of Pap smear testing also increased, from 64.4% to 73.9% (p = 0.0467). However, the limited knowledge about the relationship between HPV and cervical cancer, and about risk factors such as multiparity or early initiation of sexual intercourse remained the same. After the intervention, a significant increase in the knowledge of women with low educational level was found. Health education with an intercultural approach within the participatory action research framework is effective in improving knowledge and practices for the prevention of cervical cancer in vulnerable communities. However, for optimal results, it is important to hold long-term projects in order to build trust relationships with the communities.