Community Co-produced Action for Improved Access to Cervical Cancer Screening in Cameroon

"Participatory workshops will be conducted with community members by a multidisciplinary team with the aim to co-develop a strategy for cervical cancer screening adapted to the local setting (including primary HPV screening, triage of HPV-positive patients and treatment of patients triaged positive). This intervention is referred to as 'community co-produced action'. Possible strategies co-developed may include collaboration with community health workers or local associations, awareness campaigns, development of health education materials, integration of primary HPV screening at local integrated health centers, organization of group transportation to the district screening center, etc.~Using purposive sampling methods, approximately 15 participants will be invited to take part in the workshops in each health area of the intervention, including approximately 3 health care providers, 3 community health workers or members of women's associations, 3 men and 6 eligible women for screening."

Recruitment of study participants will be coordinated centrally at district level (from the Bafoussam Regional Hospital) following procedures previously established in a cervical cancer screening program in the health district of Dschang. This standard procedure includes the training of 2 community health workers (CHW) by health area to raise awareness around cervical cancer. After an initial theoretical and practical training in cervical cancer prevention, CHWs recruit women by going door-to-door or through community meetings in their respective health areas. Through a system of nominal invitation vouchers distributed to eligible women, CHWs receive a financial incentive for each woman that shows up for cervical cancer screening. Twice a year, CHWs of all health areas are invited to a feedback session to discuss difficulties encountered on the field and propose solutions to face any identified challenges.