Cervical Cancer Screening Practice and Associated Factors in Bishoftu Town, Eastern Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: Despite a high burden of cervical cancer in Ethiopia, the practice of cervical cancer screening was low. This study was aimed to assess cervical cancer screening practice and its associated factors among women aged 15 to 49 years in Bishoftu town, Eastern Ethiopia. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in 2016 on 845 women aged 15 to 49 years residing in Bishoftu town. Data were collected through face to face interview using a pretested structured questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS version 20 software. Descriptive statistics and logistic regressions were used. A 95% CI and p-value of <0.05 were considered to be statistically significant. Results: Among all study participants, 51.2% had good knowledge of cervical cancer screening, and 74.9% had a favourable attitude towards screening. However. only 5.8% had been screened ever for cervical cancer. The level of education and source of information was associated with a favourable attitude towards cervical cancer screening. Women who had good knowledge of cervical cancer screening were more likely to have been screened than those who had poor knowledge (AOR=6.95, 95% CI (2.59-18.57). Conclusion: The knowledge level and attendance for cervical cancer screening among study participants were low. Thus, health education to raise awareness of the importance of cervical cancer screening should a priority for community health leaders.