Assessment of knowledge, attitude, practice of cervical cancer screening and its associated factors among HIV positive women, in public health institutions of Bahirdar Town, Northwest Ethiopia
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Date
2017-11
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Abstract
Introduction: Cervical cancer is the fourth most common women cancer and the
fourth most common cause of cancer death worldwide. The high rate of cervical
cancer among women have been reported from several African countries including
Ethiopia. HIV positive women have a higher prevalence and incidence of cervical
precancerous lesions than HIV negative women. In Ethiopia a little is known about
HIV positive women knowledge, attitude and their screening practice about cervical
cancer screening.
Objective: To assess knowledge, attitude, practice about cervical cancer screening
and associated factors among HIV positive women attending public health institutions
in Bahirdar, Northwest Ethiopia
Methods: Facility based cross sectional study was conducted among a total of 477
HIV positive women who attended public health institutions using a pre tested
structured questionnaire. The study participants were selected using Systematic
Random Sampling Technique. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize sociodemographic
characteristics of study participants. Logistic regression analysis was
fitted and odds ratios with 95% CI and P value were computed to identify effects of
covariates with participants’ knowledge, attitude and cervical cancer screening
practice.
Result: About 162(35.4%) of HIV positive women have had a good knowledge
about cervical cancer and screening practice. More than half of the respondents had a
positive attitude 298(65.1%) but only 14.2% [95% CI (0.11,0.17)] of the respondents
were screened once in a lifetime. Educational status was the only variable to show
significant association with knowledge. Marital status, education, and women with
one sexual partner showed significant association with attitude. Knowledge and
occupation were significantly associated with the practice of cervical cancer
screening. Women with good knowledge of cervical cancer screening were 15 times
more likely to seek cervical cancer screening [AOR=15.28; 95% CI (7.338,
31.819)].
Conclusion: This study revealed that most of HIV positive women have poor
knowledge about cervical cancer screening and very few were ever screened for
cervical cancer. Thus warrant to the concerned bodies for the creation of cervical
cancer awareness campaigns and screening programs at all levels of the health sector
and encourage HIV positive women for cervical cancer screening.
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Keywords
Cervical cancer,women cancer