Knowledge, practices, and factors associated with cervical cancer screening among women attending outpatient clinics in Meru district, Arusha region, and northern Tanzania

Abstract

Introduction: Cervical cancer is most prevalent in low- and middle- income countries. Inadequate knowledge on and bad attitude towards cervical cancer  preclude cervical cancer screening practices. This study aimed at determining knowledge and practices of cervical cancer screening, and its  associated factors among outpatient clinics in Arusha region, more specifically in Meru district.

Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Meru district between March and April 2019. A total of 706 women aged 18-55 years  who attended outpatient clinics in Meru District Hospital, and the USA River Health Centre were studied. Faceto-face interview was conducted.  Multivariable log-binomial regressions model was used to analyse data, and to determine factors associated with cervical cancer screening practices. Stata version 14.0 aided the analysis of data.

Results: Majority of participants had poor knowledge on signs of and risk factors for cervical cancer. Over seventy percent (77.2%) had little knowledge on  signs, and 62.8% had little knowledge on risk factors for cervical cancer. However, approximately half of participants (53%) had good knowledge on  cervical cancer prevention. One-third (32.9%) of participants mentioned that they happened to screen for cervical cancer. Factors associated with cervical  cancer screening included, women aged 25-34 years (PR=2.11, 95% CI: 1.37-3.25) and ≥35 years (PR=3.62, 95% CI: 2.36-5.56), having health insurance  (PR=1.28, 95% CI: 1.09- 1.50), and good knowledge of cervical cancer signs and prevention [(PR=1.50, 95% CI: 1.25-1.80) vs. (PR=1.30, 95%CI 1.05-1.60)].

Conclusion: Few women, a third of participants happened to screened for cervical cancer. Therefore, Knowledge-based intervention is crucial to the  uptake of cervical cancer screening.