Volume 9 No.1 (July 1999)

Alexandra Clavarino, Amaya Gillespie, Kevin Balanda, Warren Stanton, Anna Carroll, John B. Lowe

Abstract

Issues addressed: The purpose of this study was to assess the needs of community health workers for appropriate, factual information about cervical cancer, cervical screening and for strategies and educational resources to increasing client participation in cervical screening programs.

Methods: Fifty-eight community health workers from throughout Queensland who were involved in providing information to women about cervical cancer and cervical screening, completed a questionnaire to assess the context within which they work; the information they provide to clients; their perceived needs for information; their awareness, and use of existing resources, their opinions of the usefulness of these resources, and their beliefs about the content and presentation of materials that would be useful in an educational resource on cervical cancer screening. Results: The results indicated that few workers appeared to be aware of the broad range of resources currently available to assist them in the conducting of education and recruitment activities. The majority of workers who were aware of existing resources found them useful. Up to date factual information about the seriousness of cervical cancer, the reasons for having Pap tests, risk factors and procedures as well as more general women's health information.

Conclusions: A range of educational resources are available to community health workers. Planning for dissemination of resources and, where necessary, the training of community health workers in the use of these resources is integral to enhancing the quality of cervical screening education.

So what? Improving the dissemination and distribution of educational resources will facilitate the transfer of knowledge into practice and has the potential to enhance participation in cervical screening programs.

Key Words: needs assessment, dissemination of information, cervical cancer cervical screening, educational resource

References

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