Utilization of cervical cancer screening services and its associated factors among primary school teachers in Ilala Municipality, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

Neema Minja Kileo,Nyasule Majura Neke,Denna Michael,Candida Moshiro

doi:10.1186/s12913-015-1206-4

Abstract

BackgroundWorldwide cervical cancer is one of the more common forms of carcinoma among women, causing high morbidity and high mortality. Despite being a major health problem in Tanzania, screening services for cervical cancer are very limited, and uptake of those services is low. We therefore conducted a study to investigate utilization of cancer screening services, and its associated factors among female primary school teachers in Ilala Municipality, Dar es Salaam.MethodWe conducted a cross-sectional study between May – August 2011 which involved 110 primary schools in Ilala Municipality in Dar es Salaam. Five hundred and twelve female primary school teachers were sampled using a two-stage cluster sampling procedure. Data on utilization of cervical cancer and risk factors were collected using a self-administered questionnaire. Proportional utilization of cervical cancer screening services was identified through a self report. Risk factors for services utilization were assessed using logistic regression analyses.ResultsOut of 512 female primary school teachers, only 108 (21 %) reported to ever been screened for cervical cancer.Utilization of cervical cancer screening services was 28 % among those aged 20–29, 22 % among married and 24 % among those with higher level of education. Women were more likely to utilize the cancer-screening service if they were multiparous (age-adjusted OR = 3.05, 95 % CI 1.15–8.06, P value 0.025), or reported more than one lifetime sexual partner (age-adjusted OR 2.17, 95 % CI 1.04–4.54, P value 0.038), or did not involve their spouse in making health decisions (adjusted OR 3.56, 95 % CI 2.05–6.18, P value <0.001).ConclusionThe study has demonstrated low level of utilization of cervical cancer screening service among female primary school teachers in Ilala munipality. Female primary school teachers with more than one previous pregnancy and those with more than one life-time sex partners were more likely to report utilization of the service. Spouse or partners support was an important factor in the utilization of cervical cancer screening service amongst the study population.

Highlights

Worldwide cervical cancer is one of the more common forms of carcinoma among women, causing high morbidity and high mortality
Spouse or partners support was an important factor in the utilization of cervical cancer screening service amongst the study population
In sub Saharan Africa, cervical cancer is an important cause of mortality and morbidity in terms of amount of years of life lost (YLL) and years lived with disability (YLD) among women with child bearing age and it makes the largest contribution to Disability Adjusted Life Years (DALY’s) due cancer in this region [3]

Summary

Introduction

Worldwide cervical cancer is one of the more common forms of carcinoma among women, causing high morbidity and high mortality. In sub Saharan Africa, cervical cancer is an important cause of mortality and morbidity in terms of amount of years of life lost (YLL) and years lived with disability (YLD) among women with child bearing age and it makes the largest contribution to Disability Adjusted Life Years (DALY’s) due cancer in this region [3]. In Tanzania, it is crucial to increase our knowledge of screening participation, and understand the factors affecting women’s participation in cervical cancer screening programs This understanding will help to design and implement programs tailored to women’s needs that encourage women to seek screening, and thereby reduce the overall disease burden

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Discussion

Conclusion