Médecins du monde et le principe d’universalisme proportionné appliqué à la prévention du cancer du col de l’utérus

Sante Publique. 2020;2(HS2):53-57. doi: 10.3917/spub.197.0053.
[Article in French]

Abstract

For over 30 years, Médecins du Monde (MDM) has been working with people living in vulnerable conditions in order to promote and facilitate their access to fundamental human rights and healthcare. Women encountered within MDM programs have many risk factors for developing precancerous and cancerous lesions of the cervix. They may not seek or have little access to health services and preventive health measures.These findings prompted MDM to adopt a 'proportionate universalism' approach in order to improve access to prevention for people living in vulnerable conditions, by reaching out to the population and offering preventative health consultations. In order to address health inequalities, this approach combines health mediation, use of visuals (binder, patient leaflet), professional interpretation services, as well as preventative health consultations run by a team aware of counselling approaches and techniques. MDM diversifies screening options by inviting women to perform a self-collected vaginal swab for high risk HPV testing.This multi-level intervention aims to create favorable conditions for public participation and empowerment by promoting specifically tailored tools and a "proportionate universalism" approach.

Publication types

  • English Abstract