Table 2.
Description of the history of diagnostic journey of cervical cancer patients
| Characteristics | Number (n) | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Type of earlier symptom |
|
|
| Foul smelling PV discharge |
60 |
54.5 |
| Lower abdominal pain |
25 |
22.7 |
| Abnormal PV bleeding |
25 |
22.7 |
| Chief complaints to consult HCP |
|
|
| Foul smelling PV discharge |
19 |
17.3 |
| Lower abdominal pain |
22 |
20.0 |
| Abnormal PV bleeding |
69 |
62.7 |
| Type of first contact health facilities |
|
|
| SHP/HP/PHC |
20 |
18.2 |
| Private medical shops |
37 |
33.6 |
| Government Hospital |
19 |
17.3 |
| Private hospitals |
34 |
30.9 |
| Number of HFs contacted before being referred to cancer diagnostic center | ||
| Single HF |
14 |
12.7 |
| 2-3 HFs |
76 |
69.1 |
| >3 HFs |
20 |
18.2 |
| Mean ± S.D. = 2.7 ± 1.07, range 1-6 |
|
|
| Number of pre-referral consultations in different HFs |
|
|
| ≤ 3 |
19 |
17.3 |
| >3 |
91 |
82.7 |
| Mean ± S.D. = 4.77 ± 1.8, range 1-10 |
|
|
| Cervical/per speculum examination in initial consultation | ||
| Yes |
24 |
21.8 |
| No |
86 |
78.2 |
| Symptoms misinterpretation in initial consultation with HCP |
|
|
| No |
11 |
10.0 |
| Yes |
99 |
90.0 |
| Number of visits in cancer diagnostic center till diagnosis | ||
| ≤ 2 visits |
55 |
50.0 |
| >2 visits |
55 |
50.0 |
| Mean ± S.D. = 2.65 ± 0.77, range 2-5 |
|
|
| Stage of cervical cancer at diagnosis (FIGO) |
|
|
| IB1 |
10 |
9.1 |
| IB2 |
5 |
4.5 |
| IIA |
6 |
5.5 |
| IIB |
56 |
50.9 |
| IIIA |
3 |
2.7 |
| IIIB |
29 |
26.4 |
| IVA | 1 | 0.9 |