Beliefs about the causes of XXXX in Botswana: implications for nursing.

@entity5 @entity1 @entity458
BACKGROUND: @entity5 is the most common cause of @entity5 mortality and morbidity for @entity1 in Botswana. Yet, little is known about what @entity1 believe to be the causes of the disease. AIM: This paper presents data on factors @entity1 in Botswana believe are responsible for the high incidence of @entity5 in their country. Data were part of a larger study that explored knowledge and perceptions about @entity5 and Pap smear screening from the perspectives of the clients and the healthcare providers. METHODS: The study that generated the data included 30 @entity1 of all socio-economic levels, recruited by network sampling. The @entity1 's ages ranged from 31 to 54 years. Demographic data were analysed descriptively. Individualized interview data were content-analysed. FINDINGS: The identified causes of @entity5 were classified as cervical irritants and non-irritants. The most commonly cited cervical irritants were vaginally inserted chemical agents and traditional medicine. DISCUSSIONS: @entity1 identified vaginally inserted chemical substances and traditional medicines as possible explanations for the high incidence of @entity5 in Botswana. They reported that @entity1 used these substances for @entity458 . Although these factors are believed to be the causes of @entity5 and have not yet been medically acknowledged, verbal reports suggest that their use is problematic. CONCLUSION: There is a need for health education and for further research to affirm @entity1 's beliefs about the harmful effects of intravaginal agents.
