Daniel O Ashipala, Paulus K Kapula, Alice Lifalaza
Experiences and challenges of enrolled nurses undertaking a Bachelor of Nursing Science programme in Namibia
Curationis
health literacy plays essential role individuals process health information make decisions health behaviours including cancer screening research scarce address health literacy strategy improve cancer screening participation among women living human immunodeficiency virus hiv particularly black women despite heavy burden cervical cancer report consistently low screening rates assess feasibility acceptability preliminary efficacy health literacyfocused intervention called checcupcommunitybased health literacy focused intervention cervical cancer controlamong women living hiv conducted communitybased singleblinded randomized pilot trial total 123 eligible women enrolled randomized one two conditions control ie cervical cancer brochure intervention cervical cancer brochure plus 3060 min health literacyfocused education followed monthly phone counselling navigation assistance 6 months study assessments done baseline 3 6 months final analysis sample included 58 women completed data points whose papanicolaou pap test status confirmed medical records intervention participants completed programme would recommend checcup women living hiv however adherence experimental conditions low 496 attrition rate including 20 women dropped intervention began due large part phone disconnection received intervention significantly higher pap test rate compared women control group 6 months 50 vs 219 p 025 participation intervention programme associated improved health literacy psychosocial outcomes 3 months trend attenuated 6 months checcup highly acceptable led improved pap testing rates among black women living hiv future research consider addressing social determinants health phone connectivity part designing retention plan targeting lowincome black women living hiv findings incorporated future intervention framework fulfil unmet needs black women living hiv facilitate decisionmaking pap test screening nineteen community members including women living hiv along hiv advocates care providers participated four focus groups develop cervical cancer screening decisionrelevant information health literacy intervention additionally community advisory board involved provide guidance general design conduct study