Coverage and factors associated factors of cervical cancer screening in a national population-based sample of women in Iraq

Abstract

The study aimed to estimate the prevalence and associated factors of cervical cancer screening (CCS) among women in the general population in Iraq. Nationally representative cross-sectional data were analysed from 2,462 women 18-69 years old (median age 39 years) that took part in the “2015 Iraq STEPS survey”. The results indicate that 9.9% of the women reported that they had ever undergone CCS. In adjusted logistic regression
analyses, having primary education (AOR: 1.65, 95% CI: 1.05, 2.59), high physical activity (AOR: 2.30, 95% CI: 1.41-3.78) were positively and sedentary behaviour (AOR: 0.51, 95% CI: 0.30-0.88) was negatively associated with CCS prevalence. In addition, in unadjusted analysis, having obesity was positively associated with CCS. The study showed that one in 10 women ever had a cervical cancer test, and several factors were identified that can assist in promoting cervical cancer screening in Iraq.

Key words: cervical cancer, screening, prevalence, women, Iraq