The impact of decentralising colposcopy services from tertiary-level to primary-level care in inner-city Johannesburg, South Africa: a before and after study.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

To assess whether decentralising colposcopy services to a primary care facility in inner-city Johannesburg, South Africa raises access to colposcopy.

Design

Before-after study comparing 2 years before and 2 years after decentralisation, using clinical records and laboratory data on cervical cytology and histology.

Primary outcome

The proportion of all women attending Hillbrow Community Health Centre (HCHC) with an abnormal Papanikolaou (Pap) smear who had a colposcopy post-decentralisation.

Setting

Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital (CMJAH) has provided colposcopy services for several decades. HCHC, located about 3 km away, began colposcopy services in 2014.

Participants

Women, aged above 18 years, who had a colposcopy for diagnosi

SUBMITTER: Maimela G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6475219 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature