Increasing Reproductive Health Awareness Through Visual Inspection of Acetic Acid Tests in the Community

Abstract

Cervical cancer is one of the leading causes of death in women in Indonesia. Early detection through IVA (Visual Acetate Inspection) examination can significantly reduce the death rate from cervical cancer. However, awareness and knowledge regarding the importance of VIA examinations is still low among the community, especially in rural areas. Padukuhan Tonggalan Kalurahan Wedomartani Kapanewon Ngemplak Sleman Regency is one of the working areas of the Ngemplak II Community Health Center.  Lack of understanding of cervical cancer is the main reason why women of childbearing age in Tonggalan Padukuhan do not have pap smears and IVA tests. According to the 2024 Village Community Health Development Community Midwifery Field Study Practice data survey, 70% of women said they did not routinely do pap smears or IVA tests because they feared the procedure and the results obtained. This activity aims to detect cervical cancer or precancerous cervical lesions early in mothers or female couples of childbearing age so that rapid and appropriate management can be carried out immediately. The method of this community service activity is to carry out direct examinations on Women of Childbearing Age (WUS) as an initial screening for the possibility of precancerous cervical lesions. Implementation of activities in Padukuhan Tonggalan, Wedomartani Village, with the number of participants in the Iva Test examination being 7 WUS. The results of the IVA test showed that all WUS was negative, and no white spots were found on the cervix. Two women were referred to the Community Health Center for follow-up treatment because signs of inflammation were found in the cervical area. Conclusion: The free Iva Test carried out in Padukuhan motivates women of childbearing age to be able to maintain their reproductive health against the possibility of being exposed to precancerous lesions.