Access and utilization of cervical cancer screening services among women attending Naguru hospital in Uganda.

Abstract

Background: Globally Cervical cancer is ranked the fourth most common cancer in women, ranking after breast cancer (2.1 million cases), colorectal cancer (0.8 million) and lung cancer (0.7 million) 1st, 2nd, and 3rd respectively. Even though there is a proof that early detection of cervical cancer through screening is key way of fighting cervical cancer, the screening rate in African countries including Uganda is still low due to a number of factors. This study was done to investigate the access and utilization of cervical cancer screening services among women attending Naguru Hospital in Uganda. Aim: To assess the access and utilization of cervical cancer screening services among women attending at OPD of Naguru hospital in Uganda. Methods: The descriptive cross sectional survey was conducted among women of 25- 49 years attending OPD clinics of Naguru hospital in Uganda. Conveniently sampling was used to select 251 women for the study. Interview administered questionnaire was used to collect data. Data analysis: Collected data was coded, entered and cleaned in Microsoft excel 2016 spread sheet and exported to STATA (version 14.2) software package for analysis. Descriptive analysis was done and result reported inform of frequency and proportions. Bivariate analysis was done using chi-test and logistic regression and P-values reported at 0.05 level of significance. Results: About 1 in 5 women (22.311%) had ever screened for cervical cancer. Our multivariate logistic regression model indicated cervical cancer screening was significantly associated with having more than three children [AOR=10.55 (95% CI: 2.269-41.331, p<0.05]) and being employed [AOR=0.030 (95% CI: 0.001-0.708 p<0.05]). Conclusion: Generally, the utilization of cervical cancer screening services is low. Occupation and number of children significantly influence cervical cancer screening among women at OPD of Naguru Hospital. Recommendations: Efforts to increase access and utilization of cervical cancer screening services must address disparities parity and occupation.