Abstract
Low awareness about cervical cancer and poor screening practice are some of the contributing factors for the high burden of cervical cancer in sub-Saharan Africa. The aim of this study was to assess comprehensive knowledge towards cervical cancer and associated factors among reproductive age women visiting Durame General Hospital. Institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted in April 2019. Systematic random sampling technique was employed to select study participants. Pretested interviewer administered questionnaire was used for data collection. Binary and multiple logistic regression analysis was done. Adjusted odds ratio with a 95% CI was used to determine the presence and strength of associations between independent and outcome variable. Variables with p value less than 0.05 were considered as statistically significant. Among the 237 women enrolled, more than half (55.7%) have ever heard about cervical cancer. Health professionals were major source of information. Half of respondents (51.5%) had good knowledge towards cervical cancer. Urban residence (AOR = 2.28, 95% CI (1.19-4.35)), having formal employment (AOR = 2.92, 95% CI (1.53-5.59)), and knowing someone with cervical cancer (AOR = 5.21, 95% CI (2.32-11.71)) were found to have significant association with good knowledge towards cervical cancer. The comprehensive knowledge of women towards cervical cancer was found to be insufficient. Provision of community-based health education with health professionals needs to be emphasized.
Highlights
Cervical cancer is one of the reproductive organ cancers in women which commonly arises from the lower part of the uterus
The cancer is caused by sexually transmitted human papilloma virus (HPV)
Institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Durame General Hospital, Kembata Tambaro zone, southern Ethiopia from April 1 to 30, 2019
Summary
Cervical cancer is one of the reproductive organ cancers in women which commonly arises from the lower part of the uterus. The cancer is caused by sexually transmitted human papilloma virus (HPV). HPV is the most common viral infection of the reproductive tract [1]. Cervical cancer was the fourth most common cancer in women and the ninth overall, with an estimated 569,847 new cases representing 6.6% of all female’s cancers. There were an estimated 311,365 deaths from cervical cancer worldwide in 2018. Nine out of ten (90%) cervical cancer deaths occurred in low- and middle-income countries [2]. In Ethiopia, according to 2018 estimate, cervical cancer was reported to be the second leading cancer diagnosis among adult women with annual 6,294 new cases and 4,844 deaths [3]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
