Factors Influencing Uptake of Cervical Cancer Screening Among Women at Chinhoyi Provincial Hospital, Zimbabwe

Abstract

Cervical cancer is a significant public health burden in most developing countries, where it is a major cause of mortality and morbidity among women despite it being preventable condition with early detection by means of cervical cancer screening. This study seeks to identify factors influencing the uptake of cervical cancer screening among women at Chinhoyi Provincial Hospital. A cross-sectional study design was used in this study. Data was collected using an interviewer administered questionnaire with 4 sections addressing demographic information, knowledge and attitudes concerning cervical cancer screening among women as well as barriers to cervical cancer screening. A sample size of 78 participants with a mean age of 46 years was selected through convenience sampling. The majority (38%) participants were divorced indicating that married women are not keen on accessing cervical cancer screening services. The study identifiedthat51%participants received information on cervical cancer screening through radio. The widely held opinion by the participants was that HIV positive women were the most vulnerable to cervical cancer. However, a significant number (32%) did not know the most common signs and symptoms of cervical cancer. Unsupportive partners, religious teachings, distance from the health care facility and costs encountered were factors hindering the uptake of cervical cancer screening. It is therefore, prudent to recommend conducting awareness campaigns on cervical cancer screening starting from grassroots level, for instance, involving community and religious leaders in encouraging women to undergo cervical cancer screening. Outreach programs should be conducted in order to reach out to those who do not live near the hospital and find it difficult to travel to the health care facility for cancer screening. There is also the need to involve other family members, namely husbands’ involvement for support of cervical cancer screening. Furthermore, there can be an initiative to have lectures in schools on cervical cancer screening so that young girls are well informed on the importance of accessing cancer screening services in the future and also disseminate the information of cervical cancer screening to their parents.