The prevalence and correlates of cervical cancer screening among a national population-based sample of women in Solomon Islands

Abstract

The study aimed to estimate the prevalence and associated factors of cervical cancer screening (CCS) among women in the general population in Solomon Islands. Cross-sectional nationally representative data of 1,402 18-69 year-old women (Median=37 years) from the “2015 Solomon Islands STEPS survey” were analysed. The results indicate that 11.5% of the women reported that they had ever undergone CCS. In adjusted logistic regression analyses, age 30-49 years (AOR: 2.40, 95% CI: 1.30, 4.42), having a history of heart attack or stroke (AOR: 3.20, 95% CI: 1.75-5.83), current smokeless tobacco use (AOR: 5.06, 95% CI: 1.72-14.90), and consumption of far too much salt (AOR: 3.14, 95% CI: 1.52-6.48) were positively and current smoking (AOR: 0.61, 95% CI: 0.38-0.97) was negatively associated with CCS prevalence. In addition, compared to women who were never married, women who were married or cohabiting and who were divorced, separated, or widowed had higher odds for CCS. The study showed that about one in 10 women ever had a cervical cancer test, and several factors were identified that can assist in promoting cervical cancer screening in Solomon Islands.

Key words: cervical cancer, screening, stressors, health behaviour, Solomon Islands