Abstract

Uganda has one of the highest age-standardized cervical cancer (CxCa) incidence rates in Eastern Africa (56.2/100,000 women), due to limited provision and access to CxCa prevention strategies through Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination, CxCa screening and treatment. This study identified barriers and facilitators to HPV vaccination, cervical cancer screening and treatment from CxCa providers’ perspectives in Uganda. This qualitative study was conducted among 11 purposively selected healthcare providers and policy makers who offer CxCa prevention and treatment services in Uganda. Interviews explored barriers and facilitators to CxCa prevention strategies from providers’ perspectives. Thematic content analysis was conducted, and emergent codes grouped and described. Multilevel barriers limit CxCa prevention and treatment at the individual, community, provider, environmental and systemic levels. Primary barriers include uncoordinated healthcare delivery, misconceptions fueled by poor understanding and information delivery, sociocultural norms and financial and geographic hurdles. Primary, secondary, and tertiary cervical cancer prevention has been successful in availability of screening materials and provider knowledge. Ugandan women remain highly susceptible to CxCa despite a robust vaccination program and increasing capacity for secondary and tertiary preventive measures. Providers need greater fiscal and professional support. Women require digestible information to create demand for the HPV vaccine and increase screening uptake.

Key words: Cervical cancer; women's health; cancer prevention; cancer screening; human papillomavirus (HPV).