KAP OF CERVICAL CANCER SCREENING AND FACTORS AFFECTING PRACTICE OF SCREENING AMONG WOMEN HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS IN SPHMMC AND AFFLIATED HOSPITALS IN ADDIS ABABA CITY ADMINSTRATION, 2019

Abstract

ABSTRACT Introduction: Cervical cancer is one of leading causes of death in women all over the globe resulting in 265,700 deaths annually. [1] Burden of the disease in Ethiopia is very high and about 6081 deaths occur annually from this disease. Most of the patients in Ethiopia present in advanced stage. [3] Knowledge of cervical cancer and screening methods of precancerous lesions among women health care professionals was shown to be good in different studies done at institutional levels in Ethiopia. But uptake (practice) of cervical cancer screening methods among women health care workers is significantly low. There is scarcity of data on factors that determine the practice (uptake) of cervical cancer screening methods among women health care professionals. Objective: To assess knowledge, attitude and practice as well as some constraints of cervical cancer screening among women health care professionals in SPHMMC in its affiliated hospitals (Yekatit 12 and Ras Desta Damtew Memorial Hospital). Methodology: Hospital based cross sectional study was conducted in SPHMMC and its affiliated hospitals from August 1/ 2018 till November 15/ 2019. Data was collected with pretested structured questionnaires by four trained nurses. Data was entered and analyzed using SPSS version 20 and bivariate and a multivariate logistic regression analysis was done to see association of variables and control confounders. Result: Among the 330 health professionals who responded to the questionnaire, (24.5%) of health professional participated had screened for cervical cancer. The results showed that (17.8%) had good knowledge while 68.5% had positive attitude about cervical cancer screening. In addition, having work experience for more than ten year [AOR= 2.71(95% CI: 1.07-6.81)] and availability of cancer screening service in the institution [AOR=1.09(95%CI: 1.05-3.64)] were significantly associated with cervical cancer screening. Conclusion: the magnitude of health professional screened is low in SPHMMC, Yekatit 12 and Ras Desta memorial hospital. Health professional cervical cancer knowledge also low, while majority of the participant had positive attitude.