A study of Factors Affecting Cervical Cancer Screening Uptake Among Women Aged 20 to 60 Years.

Abstract

This study was done in Hoima district to determine the socio-demographic, clients’ and institutional factors affecting cervical cancer screening uptake among women aged 20 to 60 years so as to improve early detection as a way of reducing morbidity and mortality associated with this disease. The research questions that guided the study were as follows: What are socio-demographic factors affecting cervical cancer screening uptake among women in the age group of 20-60 years in Hoima district? What are the clients’ factors affecting the uptake of cervical cancer screening services among women in the age group of 20-60 years? What are the institutional factors affecting cervical cancer screening uptake among women of the age group 20 to 60 years? The study population consisted of 400 women aged between 20 to 60 years and 95 health workers as key informants from Hoima district from the 20 selected health centre III, IV and a Hospital. A cross-sectional study with quantitative method was carried out using interviewer administered semi-structured questionnaires. The key study findings were that socio-demographic such as age and marital status and occupation affect the uptake of cervical cancer screening in Hoima while the only clients’ factor that was significant was being told about the importance of cervical cancer screening. Availability of cervical cancer screening services were also found to be very limited only to one health facility(Reproductive Health Uganda Health centre) in the whole district and the uptake of screening services were generally low at only (3%) which is surprising considering how deadly this disease is . The study recommended the introduction of health promotion campaigns specific for cervical cancer emphasizing the importance of screening. It also recommended the introduction of cervical cancer screening services in all health centre 111s, IVs and a Hospital after training of at least two health workers (any of these: Nurses, midwives, clinical officers and doctors) from each of these health in Hoima district and equipping of these health facilities with acetic acid for screening since it is assumed that the other required equipments are already available.