Abstract:
Cervical cancer is the second most common and the leading causes of morbidity and mortality
among female cancers. Globally a marked increase has been predicted, especially in
developing countries with a 58% cases and 63% deaths to 2025. Despite this fact, very few
women have received screening services in Ethiopia. Ethiopia has a strategic goal to reduce
cancer incidence and mortality by 15% by 2020 of which cervical cancer is the priority.
Objective
This study aimed to identify cervical cancer screening practice and its associated factor among
women of repoductve age in Butajira, central Ethiopia, 2018.
Methods and materials
A community based cross-section study was conducted on 611(quantitative) and
20(qualitative) among eligible women of reproductive age in Butajira town, from March 20 –
April 19, 2018GC. A multi stage sampling technique was used. Structured and semi structured
Amharic questionnaire and indeepth interview were used. Data cleaned and entered with
epidata 3.1 and analysed by SPSS version 20. Descriptive statistics was used to describe the
results and bivariate and multivariate logistic regression has done to identify associated factors
for cervical cancer screening practice.
Result
Six hundred eleven women of reproductive age groups participated for quantitative study and
20 for in-depth interview, with the respose rate of 98.7%. Thirty nine (6.4%) of participants
were screened for cervical cancer in the study area before the study. Among participants, 345
(56.5%) and 295(48.3%) were heard of cervical cancer and screening respectively. Hundred
sixty three (26.7%) of participants were found to be knowledgeable about cervical cancer and
screening [AOR: 11.437, 95% CI (3.255, 40.187), P< 0.000]. Among those, who heard about
cervical cancer, 163 (47.2%) had good perceived barriers [AOR: 4.057, 95% CI (1.606, 10.248),
P< 0.003]. Hundred and ninty one (31.2%) participants heard about cervical cancer through
media [AOR: 4.871, 95% CI (1.887, 12.574), P< 0.001]. Only 92(15.1%) have gotten health
education about cervical cancer and screening [AOR: 4.440, 95% CI, (1.763, 11.586) P< 0.002].
Conclusion and Recommendations
Cervical cancer screening uptake among females of reproductive age in Butajira town
was insufficient. Knowledge, perceived barriers, media heard and health education on
cervical cancer and screening were an important predictors of cervical cancer screening uptake.
Strong attension should be given on better awareness creation and attitudinal change by health
education through different means of communications
