Intention to screen for cervical cancer and factors associated among female healthcare professionals using the trans-theoretical model: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: Healthcare providers can serve as role models to facilitate a supportive environment that encourages women to utilize  screening for cervical cancer. Equally important is that being a female healthcare professional does not prevent the risk of cervical  cancer. Therefore, this study aims to assess the intention of screening with visual inspection of acetic acid (VIA) and its determinants  among female healthcare professionals (HCPs), guided by the trans-theoretical model (TTM) of stages of behavior change.

Method: A cross-sectional study design was used to test readiness for cervical screening among selected female HCPs. A structured, self- administered questionnaire was used to collect data. The analysis included descriptive statistics and logistic regression.

Result: Four  hundred sixty female HCPs with a mean age of M=33.8, +5 years participated. The intention to participate in cervical cancer screening was  44.1%. Over (half 52% of the participants) had poor knowledge of cervical cancer and screening. Regarding the TTM stages of  change, 46.5% of participants indicated being in the pre-contemplation phase, suggesting they had never a VIA screen and had no  intention of being screened within the next six months. In the final logistic regression model, four factors, including age, being screened  in the past three years, taking care of patients with cervical cancer, and having good to moderate knowledge of cervical cancer and  screening, were statistically significant, with large odds ratios for their association with intention to screen.

Conclusions: Most of the  participants were in the pre-contemplation phase, and the limited knowledge health workers had about cervical cancer screening is  worrisome. Intervening in the factors that affect intention for screening is vital to reducing barriers to cervical screening among female  healthcare workers as well as the broader female population in Ethiopia. Providing cancer screening guidelines to all HCPs, regardless of  their specialty, could be a key factor in lessening the burden of cervical cancer.