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Contraceptive needs and fertility intentions of women with breast cancer in Cape Town, South Africa: a qualitative study

ABSTRACT: Background No known studies have been undertaken in South Africa exploring the contraceptive and fertility needs and preferences of women of reproductive age (18–49) diagnosed with breast cancer. This study set out to understand the contraceptive needs and fertility intentions of women with breast cancer in Cape Town, South Africa. Methods Qualitative in-depth interviews were conducted with 24 women diagnosed with breast cancer and 4 health care providers at a tertiary hospital in Cape Town, South Africa. We explored contraceptive use prior to diagnosis; the impact of breast cancer on future fertility intentions and contraceptive use; understanding of suitable contraceptive methods during and after treatment and women’s fertility related counseling needs during their continuum of care. Data were analysed using a thematic analysis approach. Results Since being diagnosed with breast cancer, of those women using a contraceptive method, the non-hormonal intrauterine device (IUD) was the most commonly used method. However, women reported receiving limited information from health care providers about contraceptive use and future fertility planning post treatment when fertility desires might change. Many women reported limited information received from healthcare providers about the impact of cancer treatment on their future fertility. Most women did not receive information around fertility preservation options, and few were familiar with the concept. Providers focus was more on preventing pregnancy during treatment and ensuring a patient was on a non-hormonal contraceptive method. Providers supported a more holistic, multidisciplinary approach to breast cancer patient’s contraceptive and future fertility needs. Conclusions Limited contraceptive and future fertility counseling were reported by women despite many women being provided with the IUD. There is a need for improved information and counseling regarding the impact of treatment on contraceptive and fertility options. It is important that cancer care providers provide timely information regarding fertility options and communicate with patients about their fertility concerns prior to treatment and throughout the course of survivorship. The development of evidence-based information tools to enhance patient-provider communication and counseling could address knowledge gaps.

SUBMITTER: Harries J

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7539427 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Project description:Background: Long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs), which include the subdermal contraceptive implant and intrauterine contraception, offer women safe, highly effective, long-term pregnancy prevention, and have expanded contraceptive options. The implant greatly expands LARC options for South African women as it is available free of charge at public health facilities, but little is known about factors associated with its uptake. This study describes factors associated with the intention to use the implant, including knowledge and beliefs about the implant and perceived outcome expectancies of implant use among women in Cape Town, South Africa. Methods: Between 2015 and 2016, the authors conducted a quantitative, cross-sectional survey among adult women attending a public, primary health clinic in Cape Town, South Africa. Using a structured questionnaire, they measured knowledge, awareness, and attitudes, perceived outcome expectancy, and the intention to use the contraceptive implant in future among the women. Results: The authors surveyed 481 women (mean age 29.1 years). Most of the participants (n = 364, 75.6%) had heard about the implant, 45 (9.4%) were currently using it, and 97 (20.2%) intended to use it in the future. Knowledge about the safety of the implant, beliefs about its effectiveness, and the ease of insertion and removal, and support from intimate partners were positively associated with the current use and intentions to use the implant in the future. Conclusions: Limited knowledge of the implant, having completed secondary schooling, support from partner for women to use implant and the perceived outcome expectancies of using the implant were factors significantly associated with the intention to use the implant. Ensuring that the contraception information is available in all South African languages, regardless of education levels in women, and that comprehensive contraception education and counseling is provided during all family planning might help improve the uptake of contraceptives, including the use of the implant in the country.

Project description:Understanding caregivers' experiences of care can identify barriers to timely and good quality care, and support the improvement of services. We aimed to explore caregivers' experiences and perceptions of pathways to care, from first access through various levels of health service, for seriously ill and injured children in Cape Town, South Africa, in order to identify areas for improvement.Semi-structured, qualitative interviews were conducted with primary caregivers of children who were admitted to paediatric intensive care or died in the health system prior to intensive care admission. Interviews explored caregivers' experiences from when their child first became ill, through each level of health care to paediatric intensive care or death. A maximum variation sample of transcripts was purposively sampled from a larger cohort study based on demographic characteristics, child diagnosis, and outcome at 30 days; and analysed using the method of constant comparison.Of the 282 caregivers who were interviewed in the larger cohort study, 45 interviews were included in this qualitative analysis. Some caregivers employed 'tactics' to gain quicker access to care, including bypassing lower levels of care, and negotiating or demanding to see a healthcare professional ahead of other patients. It was sometimes unclear how to access emergency care within facilities; and non-medical personnel informally judged illness severity and helped or hindered quicker access. Caregivers commonly misconceived ambulances to be slow to arrive, and were concerned when ambulance transfers were seemingly not prioritised by illness severity. Communication was often good, but some caregivers experienced language difficulties and/or criticism.Interventions to improve child health care could be based on: reorganising the reception of seriously ill children and making the emergency route within healthcare facilities clear; promoting caregivers' use of ambulances and prioritising transfers according to illness severity; addressing language barriers, and emphasising the importance of effective communication to healthcare providers.

Project description:OBJECTIVE:HIV-positive women are known to be at high-risk of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and its associated cervical pathology. Here, we describe the prevalence and distribution of HPV genotypes among HIV-positive and -negative women in South Africa, with and without cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN). METHODS:We report data on 1,371 HIV-positive women and 8,050 HIV-negative women, aged 17-65?years, recruited into three sequential studies in Cape Town, South Africa, conducted among women who had no history of cervical cancer screening recruited from the general population. All women were tested for HIV. Cervical samples were tested for high-risk HPV DNA (Hybrid Capture 2) with positive samples tested to determine the specific genotype (Line Blot). CIN status was determined based on colposcopy and biopsy. RESULTS:The HPV prevalence was higher among HIV-positive women (52.4%) than among HIV-negative women (20.8%) overall and in all age groups. Younger women, aged 17-19?years, had the highest HPV prevalence regardless of HIV status. HIV-positive women were more likely to have CIN 2 or 3 than HIV-negative women. HPV 16, 35, and 58 were the most common high-risk HPV types with no major differences in the type distribution by HIV status. HPV 18 was more common in older HIV-positive women (40-65?years) with no or low grade disease, but less common in younger women (17-29?years) with CIN 2 or 3 compared to HIV-negative counterparts (p?<?0.03). Infections with multiple high-risk HPV types were more common in HIV-positive than HIV-negative women, controlling for age and cervical disease status. CONCLUSION:HIV-positive women were more likely to have high-risk HPV than HIV-negative women; but, among those with HPV, the distribution of HPV types was similar by HIV status. Screening strategies incorporating HPV genotyping and vaccination should be effective in preventing cervical cancer in both HIV-positive and -negative women living in sub-Saharan Africa.

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Contraceptive needs and fertility intentions of women with breast cancer in Cape Town, South Africa: a qualitative study

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