Abstract:
Background: Cervical cancer is the uncontrolled multiplication of normal cells of the cervix that
arises from the squamous columnar junction. It is one of the major public health problems in
Ethiopia. Despite efforts to improve the cervical cancer program in recent years, the uptake and
utilization of cervical cancer screening remain very low. This study aimed to assess the
prevalence of cervical cancer screening utilization and identify determinant factors affecting it
among Jimma zone rural health extension workers.
Methods: A facility-based cross-sectional study design was conducted in selected six districts of
Jimma Zone from May 1 to 15 2025. A total of 266 health extension workers were recruited
using a simple random sampling technique from each district after a proportional allocation of
study samples for each district. Data was collected using a pretested questionnaire, entered into
Epidata version 4.6, and then exported to SPSS version 27. Bi-variable and multivariable logistic
regression analyses were employed to see the association between cervical cancer screening
uptake and the explanatory variables. Variables with P value < 0.25 were selected as candidate
variables for multi-variable logistic regression. The outputs from the regression analysis were
reported at P-Value < 0.05 using an Adjusted Odds Ratio with their 95% CIs.
Results: The mean age of the respondents was 32.96 years, with a standard deviation of ±2.81
years. The prevalence of cervical cancer screening uptake in Jimma Zone among rural health
extension workers was 33.8% (95%CI: 28.2-39.9). Health extension workers aged 40–49 years
(AOR = 4.81; 95% CI: 1.01–12.8), work experience (AOR = 8.69; 95% CI: 1.66–15.6), received
formal training (AOR = 2.71; 95% CI: 1.14–6.46), and having good knowledge (AOR = 2.47;
95% CI: 1.05–5.83) were identified as factors associated with cervical cancer screening uptake
among rural health extension workers in the Jimma Zone, Southwest Ethiopia.
Conclusion: The overall cervical cancer screening uptake rate among rural health extension
workers was low compared to national and global strategy for cervical cancer elimination.
Screening is more common among rural health extension workers whose age is 40-49, those with
longer work experience, received formal training and having good knowledge. To improve
uptake, we recommend rural health extension worker focused training and awareness creation.
