Cervical Cancer Screening Barriers Among HIV Positive Women Attending ART Clinic at Yekatit 12 Hospital Medical College, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

<i>Background</i>: Cervical cancer is the most common cause of morbidity and death among female cancer patients globally, particularly in poor nations like Ethiopia. It is a preventable, non-communicable disease of public health relevance. In Ethiopia, women's acceptance of the services for cervical cancer screening and treatment is low and poorly recorded. The goal of the current study is to investigate the obstacles that HIV-positive women face while trying to use cervical cancer screening. <i>Objective</i>: To investigate cervical cancer screening barriers among HIV positive women at Yekatit 12 Hospital Medical College, Ethiopia, 2021. <i>Methods</i>: Between April and June of 2021, a qualitative study was carried out with women who tested positive for HIV and were enrolled in the ART clinic at Yekatit 12 Hospital Medical College. At the time of the study, HIV-positive women and medical professionals were purposefully chosen from an ART clinic. In all, 14 patients and 9 healthcare professionals participated in the study. A schedule for in-depth interviews were used to gather data. Analysis was done by using atlas ti computer software. <i>Result</i>: The risk factors and symptoms of cervical cancer were not well known to the respondents. Women have identified several factors that impact their use of cervical screening: inadequate knowledge of the significance of screenings, perceptions of the seriousness of cervical cancer, the separation of the screening location from ART, having conflicting concerns, and emotional barriers like anxiety about a positive result, embarrassment, and shame anticipation. These same problems were recognized by healthcare professionals as obstacles to cervical screening. <i>Conclusion</i>: This study offers extensive data on the various complex reasons why women do not participate in cervical cancer screening programs. Consequently, it is crucial to develop interventions that can address and reduce these barriers.