Workplace and personal factors shape cancer screening among Ghanaian health professionals

Researchers used an explanatory sequential mixed-methods design to examine cervical and breast cancer screening among female healthcare professionals at selected health facilities in the Cape Coast Metropolis, Ghana. The quantitative survey included 517 participants; 15 professionals from different groups took part in in-depth interviews. Questionnaires covered health-system factors, screening intentions, recommendations to patients, perceived barriers and possible interventions, with interview findings used to contextualize the survey results.

Most participants reported that onsite cervical (63.0%) and breast (61.9%) screening services were available, but only 23.0% said their institutions provided protected work time to attend screening. More than half intended to undergo screening within the next 12 months (53.6%), and 56.1% said they regularly recommended screening to patients. Reported barriers included lack of time, fear of diagnosis, confidentiality concerns and financial constraints. Interviewees also described workload and cultural or spiritual beliefs as factors that could discourage screening.

Participants identified institutional screening programs, education and reminders, peer support, and affordable, accessible services as potential facilitators. The findings point to workplace and health-system factors alongside individual attitudes, but they are based on self-reports from female professionals in one Ghanaian metropolitan area and do not establish whether proposed strategies increase screening uptake.