Rujirek Khunmun. Health seeking behavior of cervical cancer patients in gynaeoncology unit, Bangkok metropolitan admisnistration medical college and Vajira Hospital . Master's Degree(Cultural Studies). Mahidol University. : Mahidol University, 2006.
Health seeking behavior of cervical cancer patients in gynaeoncology unit, Bangkok metropolitan admisnistration medical college and Vajira Hospital
Abstract:
The objective of this qualitative research was to investigate beliefs and
perception of cervical cancer patients on cancer causes, types, severity and patterns of
health seeking. The target group was 30 cervical patients at the Gynaeoncology unit,
Vajira Hospital during March – May 2005. Selection criteria were isolated patients
diagnosed with cancer from early to end stages. Who were generally healthy, willing
to cooperate and had time to give data. An in-depth interview was used to collect the
data.
The data analysis revealed that beliefs, perception and interpretation of the
disease causes, types and severity were closely related. Causes were perceived to stem
from infectious uterus due to violent or frequent intercourse, inappropriate hygiene
and infection of reproductive organs owing to hard work, lifting heavy stuff, frequent
pregnancy, and unusual menstruation and chronic metrorrhagia. Symptoms included
unusual bleeding and metrorrhagia, swollen legs, fatigue and loss of weight and
appetite. The symptoms were perceived as cervical cancer, which was interpreted as
incurable and fatal. Perceptions on severity ranged from medium to low, depending
on patients’ cancer stages. Factors affecting these beliefs, perception and
interpretation were (1) demographic aspects, e.g., domicile, age, religion, marital
status, education, career and personal income; (2) family aspects, e.g., size and
income; and, (3) risk factors, e.g., age at first intercourse, pregnancy and
menstruation, pregnancy frequency, birth control records, smoking and number of
husbands. Treatments included wait-and-see, self-treating, seeking advice from others
before seeking/receiving medical services in both traditional and modern medical
centers. During the pre-diagnosis period, clinics, druggist’s and private hospitals were
most used, while general and center hospitals were during the post-diagnosis. Factors
influencing the selection included perception, severity, advice of others, refundability,
affordability, service access and service satisfaction.
It is recommended that the public should be provided information on cervical
cancer and smear tests through all existing media channels. Campaigns should be more
proactive and hospitals should allow patients to use a holistic approach. Furthermore,
there should be strategies to boost morale and fight the disease in order to enhance
patients’ quality of life and happiness in the last stage of their lives