ISSN: 2474-9230
Authors: Genet Behabtu B, Abenet Menene G*, Teresa Kisi B and Aliye Kediro A
Introduction: Cervical cancer remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality among women in the world. According to world health organization projections, over 500,000 new cases of cervical cancer, of which over 90% occur in developing countries. Worldwide, the mortality rate from cervical cancer is 52%. Objective: To assess knowledge, attitude, practice of cervical cancer screening and its associated factors among women of reproductive age group attending maternal health services at Batu health center, 2018. Methods: A cross-sectional study design was conducted from May to June 2018. A total of 269 women attending maternal services were included in the study. Systematic sampling techniques were used to select women. Interviewer based structured questionnaire were employed to collect data. Data were entered into statistical software EPI-info version 3.5.1 and analyzed by SPSS version 21. Descriptive analysis to describe study population and binary logistic regression analysis were used to identify associated factors. Finally Multivariate logistic regressions were conducted to identify the factors of cervical cancer screening then Strength of association was measured using odds ratio, and 95% confidence intervals, Statistical significance was declared at P value <0.05. Results: The mean age of participants was 25.3+5.72(SD) years. All of the total 259 respondents ever heard about cervical cancer while only 19.7% had compressive (good) knowledge on cervical cancers. However, 71.4% had positive attitude towards the screening of cervical cancer and 72.6% had agreed on the importance to made available national cervical cancer screening program in the future and the importance to take vaccine against human papilloma virus when available. Regarding with the screening practice, 37(14.3%) ever got a cervical screening test (Pap) smear test either one times (73.3%) or two times (27.0%) within the past 3-6 years. Factors associated with screening practice were: had ever practiced abortion [AOR =8.27, 95%CI (2.69- 25.40)], had knowledge on cervical cancer [AOR= 15.82, 95%CI (3.67- 68.22)] and had experienced any gynecological examination [AOR= 3.16, 95%CI (1.08- 9.25)]. Conclusion and Recommendations: Knowledge on cervical cancer screening and screening practice among women of reproductive age group at Batu town is low. However, majority had positive attitude towards the screening of cervical cancer. Abortion experience, knowledge on cervical cancer and history of gynecological examination were factors for screening practice. Therefore, efforts should be focused in informing comprehensive knowledge on cervical cancers, encouraging any gynecological examination and promoting cervical cancer screening
Keywords: Knowledge; Attitude; Practice; Cervical Cancer Screening; Ethiopia
