Experiences of Middle-Aged Women of Mass Screening for Cervical Cancer

1. Experiences of Middle-Aged Women of Mass Screening for Cervical Cancer 5th Nordic Health Promotion Research Conference June 15-17 2006 ’Health and Institutional Change’ Riitta Häkkinen,PHN, MSc (Nursing Science)* Professor Anna-Maija Pietilä, PhD** Professor Katri Vehviläinen-Julkunen, PhD ** Pirjo Varjoranta, Lic.NSc, Training Manager* * Health Care Center of Kuopio, Finland **Department of Nursing Science, University of Kuopio, Finland

2. Experiences of Middle-Aged Women of Mass Screening for Cervical Cancer • Background • The role of health promotion in mass screening has changed • Purpose • To describe middle-aged women’s experiences • To throw light upon the things the treatment of which women consider important in mass screening • To find out howmass screenings should be developed • Research material and method • Women living in Kuopio, aged from 30 to 55 ears and who had attended mass screening 16.06.2006

3. Research material and method Gathering the research material The target group/ extended consultation hours, 45,50,55 years n=58 The preliminary testing of the enquiry n=5 Quantitative analysis of the research material The preliminary testing, the thematic interview The traditional mass screening 30,40,45,50,55 years n=13 Qualitative Analysis of the Research material 16.06.2006

4. Health-promoting activity as described by women Approach Completely Partly Partly Completely agree agree disagree disagree % % % % ________________________________________________________ Friendly 95 2 2 - Showing 88 9 2 - respect for me Competent 97 3 - - Unhurried 90 3 5 - Matter-of-fact 97 2 - - Reliable 91 5 - - 16.06.2006

5. Health-promoting activity as described by women (interview) • High level of competence (reliability, knowledge, competence) • Partly routine-like and informative • Characterized by one-way interaction • The women were not used to asking questions regarding their own lives 16.06.2006

6. Things the women considered important enquiry & interview • Menopausal matters and hormonotherapies • Changes in a course of life and coping • Contraception and flow disorders • Marriage/common-law marriage relationship and sexuality • Physical and mental health • Examination of breasts 16.06.2006

7. The women's experiences of their opportunities to discuss things they consider important • Visit was specimen-centred  no opportunity to discuss things they considered important • The invitation should show the purpose and contents of the reception  which would shape their expectations accordingly • Extended consultation hours  more individual and comprehensive service 16.06.2006

8. Suggestions for development put forward by the women • Model of two reception alternatives • Explicit invitation and preliminary information form to be filled out at home • Development of the contents of reception/consultation • Paying attention to the client as an individual and opportunity to unburden one's mind/receive attention 16.06.2006

9. Conclusions • Health-promoting activity was not identified or successfully defined • The mass screenings were experienced as routine-like and informative specimen-related visits characterized by one-way interaction • The discussion of things related to one's own life situation, health and well-being was considered important continues… 16.06.2006

10. Conclusions continues… • Corresponding to the needs of modern women • The public health nurse's competence  appropriate utilization in a goal-oriented manner • Reforming functional methods and models of action 16.06.2006

11. New model of action Invitation Preliminary information form Explicit instructions Assessment and choice Traditional visit Inclusive appointment Equal dialogue The public health nurse's competence Women’s needs 16.06.2006

12. It is good to remember that promoting women's health is to promote also the health of families and the immediate community.Riitta Häkkinen, e-mail: riitta.hakkinen@kuopio.fi 16.06.2006