Comprehensive Knowledge and Uptake of Cervical Cancer Screening Is Low Among Women Living With HIV/AIDS: The Case of Northwestern Ethiopia

Abstract

Abstract 1 Purpose In Ethiopia, cervical cancer is the second most common type of cancer in women, and is approximately 8 times more common in HIV-infected women; however, data on the knowledge of HIV-infected women of cervical cancer and the acceptability of screening is scarce in Ethiopia. The current study aimed to assess the level of knowledge of cervical cancer and the uptake of screening among HIV-infected women in Gondar in northwestern Ethiopia. Methods A cross-sectional, questionnaire-based survey was conducted in 302 HIV-infected women who attended the outpatient clinic of the University of Gondar referral and teaching hospital from March 1, 2017, to March 30, 2017. Descriptive statistics and univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were also performed to examine factors that are associated with the uptake of cervical cancer screening service. Results Overall, only 64 respondents (21.2%) were knowledgeable about cervical cancer and screening, and only 71 respondents (23.5%) underwent screening in their lifetimes. Age between 21 years and 29 years (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 2.78; 95% CI, 1.71 to 7.29), perceived susceptibility to the development of cervical cancer (AOR, 2.85; 95% CI, 1.89 to 6.16), and comprehensive knowledge of cervical cancer (AOR, 3.02; 95% CI, 2.31 to 7.15) were found to be strong predictors of cervical cancer screening service uptake. Conclusion Knowledge and uptake of cervical cancer screening among HIV-infected women was found to be poor. Taking into consideration the heightened importance of comprehensive knowledge for increasing the number of participants in cervical cancer screening services, different stakeholders working on cancer and HIV/AIDS should provide a customized health promotion intervention for, and create awareness among, HIV-infected women, as well as improve the accessibility of cervical cancer screening services in rural areas. AUTHORS' DISCLOSURES OF POTENTIAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST No COIs from the authors.