Abstract
BackgroundCervical cancer is an issue of global health concern, and it seems to be the next epidemic in Sub-Saharan Africa after Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). This study compared the perceptions of susceptibility to cervical cancer and benefits of cervical cancer screening among women diagnosed and those with unknown HIV status and determined the association between socio-demographic factors and HIV status.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted with 600 women diagnosed with HIV and 600 women with unknown HIV status in the Central Region of Ghana. Convenience sampling was used and a structured interview schedule was the main data collection instrument. Data were analysed using frequencies, percentages, chi-square test and independent samples t-test.ResultsA high proportion of women diagnosed with HIV 94.8% (n = 569) and those with unknown HIV status 93.5% (n = 561) agreed that “screening can find cervical changes”. Also, 58.0% (n = 348) of women diagnosed with HIV agreed that they have been in polygamous relationships so they may get cervical cancer. There was a statistically significant association between marital status (X2 = 167.071, p = 0.001), religion (X2 = 57.720, p = 0.001), level of education (X2 = 118.997, p = 0.001), employment status (X2 = 782.646, p = 0.001) and HIV status. A comparison of the mean difference for women diagnosed and those with unknown HIV status in relation to perceived benefits of cervical cancer screening showed a statistically significant difference (t = 7.418, df = 1198, p = 0.001). Nonetheless, there was no statistically significant difference in the means for women diagnosed and those with unknown HIV status regarding perceived susceptibility to cervical cancer (t = 0.935, df = 1198, p = 0.351).ConclusionsWomen with HIV perceived higher benefits of cervical cancer screening. Perception of susceptibility to cervical cancer by women with and those without HIV need to be addressed in efforts to improve their health. Furthermore, interventions for women with HIV should consider some important sociodemographic factors.
Highlights
Cervical cancer is an issue of global health concern, and it seems to be the epidemic in SubSaharan Africa after Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) report suggests that women form 52% of all people living with HIV (PLHIV) in low-to-middle-income economies, but Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) has the highest proportion (57%) of women living with HIV (WLHIV)/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) [4]
It shows that 26.3% (n = 158) of the women diagnosed with HIV were between the age range 30–39 years while 25.0% (n = 150) of those with unknown HIV status were within that age range
Summary
Cervical cancer is an issue of global health concern, and it seems to be the epidemic in SubSaharan Africa after Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). Women with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) have higher risk of cancer of the cervix because of their increased tendency of acquiring Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection and faster progression of the disease to cancer compared to those with negative HIV status [1]. Interventions to increase HPV vaccination, screening and treatment will reduce the incidence of cancer of the cervix by 40% and its related mortality by 5 million in 2050 [1]. Women with HIV have higher chances of acquiring cervical cancer due to the immunosuppression that results from HIV infection [3]. The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) report suggests that women form 52% of all people living with HIV (PLHIV) in low-to-middle-income economies, but SSA has the highest proportion (57%) of women living with HIV (WLHIV)/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) [4]
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