Cervical cancer screening among women attending gynecologic OPD in Jimma Medical Center, Jimma, southwest Ethiopia, a cross sectional study

Abstract

Background: Cervical cancer ranks second in incidence and mortality behind breast cancer in lower Human Development Index. An appropriate screening strategy is a priority nowadays in low Human Development Index settings where incidence and mortality from cervical cancer is very high. Recently, the OncoE6™ Cervical Test (OncoE6 Test) which is a rapid, easy-to-use lateral flow method detecting HPV16/18 E6 oncoproteins that has proven to detect high-grade cervical lesions with high specificity and this technology might allow for decentralized screening of hard- to-reach populations. The aim of the study is to assess the knowledge, practice and factors associated with previous screening practices among women attending gynecologic OPD at Jimma Medical Center. Methods: a hospital based cross sectional study was conducted on women aged 25 to 50 years visiting gynecology OPD of Jimma Medical Center from December 5 th 2020 to August 31 st 2021. Data were collected by trained midwives, from 437 women using an interviewer-administered questionnaire, entered to kobo tool, and exported to STATA version 17 for analysis. Results: out of the total respondents, the age range was from 25 to 50 years with a mean of 34.5 years. Previous history of screening practice was 4.6%. around 63% know risk factors of cervical cancer, and the prevalence of Onco E6 and VIA positivity was 2.1 and 0.5% respectively. There were no associated factors for previous history of cervical cancer screening. Conclusion and recommendation: validation test for the new Onco E6 is recommended