Middle-aged women’s lived experiences of cervical cancer in Indonesia

Project Details

This project aims to investigate the social processes shaping middle-aged women’s vulnerability and resilience to cervical cancer in Indonesia. Drawing on the fields of medical anthropology and health systems analysis, this project will generate a new interdisciplinary approach to investigate how different factors such as age, socioeconomic status and gender intersect to influence women’s vulnerability across their life course. The project will provide significant research training for Australians and Indonesians, extensive international collaboration, and a better understanding of how to reduce health disparities among vulnerable groups.

Researchers

• Professor Linda Bennett (project leader);
• Professor Barbara McPake;
• Professor Siswanto Wilopo (Gadjah Mada University);
• Professor Lenore Manderson (University of the Witwatersrand);
• Belinda Spagnoletti (project manager);
• Chrissy Keenan (intern, Columbia University)

Collaborators

Collaborating universities:

• Gadjah Mada University, Indonesia;
• University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa

Collaborating hospitals:

• Central General Hospital dr. Sardjito;
• Bethesda Hospital Yogyakarta;
• Dharmais National Cancer Hospital;
• dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo National Central General Hospital

Collaborating community-based organisations:

• Indonesian Cancer Foundation;
• Indonesian Coalition for Cervical Cancer Prevention;
• Cancer Information and Service Centre

Funding

Australian Research Council

Discovery Project

$472,688

Research Outcomes

A policy brief and recommendations pertaining to cervical cancer prevention and treatment; patient-centered clinical recommendations for health professionals providing cervical cancer prevention and treatment services to Indonesian women; peer reviewed journal articles, including a critical review article on women’s experiences of cervical cancer in Asia; conference panels and presentations; an edited special issue journal; an ethnographic manuscript; and at least three PhD theses.

Download the policy brief Recommendations on the implementation of Indonesia’s National Cervical Cancer Prevention and Control Policy

Recommendations on the implementation of Indonesia’s National Cervical Cancer Prevention and Control Policy - English

Recommendations on the implementation of Indonesia’s National Cervical Cancer Prevention and Control Policy - Bahasa