Tenth International Conference on Health, Wellness & Society

Abstract

South Africa’s move towards universal healthcare places emphasis on health promotion and disease prevention. In order for health promotion to be successful, individuals need to be empowered with the knowledge they need to make the correct lifestyle choices. Health education on HIV has been central to the South African national health strategy, but as yet no such strategy is in place for cervical cancer education. This study compared the level of knowledge of HIV and cervical cancer of women living in inner city Durban, South Africa, and provides an insight into the effectiveness of education strategies. A mixed method study was used to collect data on health information and health knowledge from women in the city (n=109). The level of health literacy with respect to HIV was relatively high, and 91% had been screened for HIV at some stage. In contrast, however, knowledge of cervical cancer was poor, and only a third of the women had been screened for the disease. We conclude that the high rate of HIV screening and knowledge among vulnerable women in Durban, South Africa, is linked to the substantial HIV health literacy, while the converse is true for cervical cancer. While South Africa has made strides towards the UNAIDS 90-90-90 HIV treatment cascade through health education and promotion with access to free screening and treatment, the same is necessary for cervical cancer, a largely preventable cancer that results in almost 6000 deaths annually in South Africa.