Cervical cancer screening service uptake and its associated factors among women who visit public hospitals, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Abstract

Abstract Background: Cervical cancer is the fourth leading common cause of cancer in the world. In Ethiopia alone, more than 27 million female of reproductive age group are at risk of developing this disease. Annually, more than 5000 deaths are accounted to cervical cancer, in Ethiopia. Despite this, it is only <1% of women who undergo the screening procedure. Objective: The study is carried out to assess cervical cancer screening service utilization and the associated factors among women of age >30, who visit SPSH and SPHMMC general OPDs, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Methods: Hospital based cross sectional study was conducted among 422 women of age >30 in SPSH and SPHMMC general OPDs, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia from December 1, 2020 to January 30, 2021. Study participants were selected using systematic random sampling method. Data was collected using pretested interviewer administered questionnaire. Data was entered using EPINFO and analyzed after cleaning using SPSS version 25 software package. Descriptive analysis was done followed by logistic regression to assess the association between the independent variables and the dependent variable. Odds ratio with 95% confidence interval and p-value less than 0.05 were used to declare statistical significance. Results: among the 422 study participants, only 100 (23.7%) of them have been screened for cervical cancer. Women who had more than 6 children (AOR=6.463, 95% CI =1.2-33.43), getting advice from health professional (AOR= 8.54, 95% CI=4.70-15.51), women with favorable attitude towards cervical cancer screening (AOR=3.40, 95% CI=1.30-8.92), women having good knowledge about cervical cancer and its screening (AOR=2.61, 95% CI=1.04-6.53) were found significant positive predictors of cervical cancer screening service uptake. Being vaccinated for HPV (AOR=2.56, 95% CI=1.05-6.23) high perceived barriers to getting the screening, (AOR=0.3, 95% CI=0.17-0.55) were significant negative predictors. Conclusion: Magnitude of cervical cancer screening service utilization is at 23.7% in the two hospitals included in the study. Number of children, HPV vaccination status, getting screening advise from health professional, availability of perceived barriers, attitude score and knowledge status were identified factors that had significant association with cervical cancer screening utilization. The ministry of health should design a program that can help improve the screening service utilization in the various health facilities of the country. Keywords: Cervical cancer, Cervical cancer screening uptake, SPHH, SPHMMC.