Sociocultural Perceptions in the Process of Cervical Cancer Management in Women in the Port-Bouët Health District, Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire

Context/Objectives: The process of managing cervical cancer women encounters difficulties related to sociocultural perceptions structuring this pathology in the District of Abidjan and, more specifically, in the health area of Port-Bouët. This study was conducted to identify sociocultural perceptions of cervical cancer that impact women’s access to the management process in the health area of Port-Bouët. The survey was conducted within the Departmental Public Hospital Establishment of Port-Bouët (EPHDPB) among women. Methods: The study used a cross-sectional descriptive design that consisted of direct observation with interviews and a questionnaire among a sample of 42 respondents who were recruited to participate in the study. The data was entered into an MS Excel sheet, and the statistical analysis was carried out using Sphinx statistical data processing software, which made it possible to cross-reference the responses and present the results in tables. The content analysis consisted of a thematic analysis of the interviewees’ verbatims and highlighted the social logic structuring cervical cancer in the Port-Bouët health area. Results: The study revealed various sociocultural perceptions structuring cervical cancer that impact the treatment process among women. The results reveal that out of a total of 42 women surveyed, 38.1% of them perceive cervical cancer as a pathology of shame. The results also show that 33.33% and 28.57% of women consider cervical cancer a taboo subject in African societies and a disease of divine nature. These considerations of cervical cancer among women strongly impact the medical treatment process. This leads to the death of several patients due to non-compliance with adequate medical care. Conclusion: In view of these results, the mobilization of traditional pharmacopoeia by patients is justified. Due to financial difficulties in care, some patients prefer to turn to healers or devote themselves to prayer. Educational interventions for health and community awareness on the real causes of this pathology in order to break these social representations. Also, the strengthening of the information-communication system must be undertaken and maintained in order to reduce the high rate of new cases of cervical cancer and the complications that result from it.