DETERMINANTS OF CERVICAL CANCER SCREENING UTILIZATION AMONG WOMEN AGED 30-49 YEARS OLD IN NORTH ARI DISTRICT, ARI ZONE, SOUTHERN ETHIOPIA, 2023.

Abstract

Background: In Ethiopia, an estimated 7445 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer, and 5338 die from the disease. But early screening has a vital role in reducing morbidity and mortality. However, the utilization of cervical cancer screening is very low in Ethiopia, and there is still no scientific evidence on determinant factors in the study area. OBJECTIVE: To identify determinants of cervical cancer screening utilization among women aged 30-49 years old in the north Ari district, Ari zone, Southern Ethiopia, 2023. METHODS: A community-based unmatched case-control study was conducted among 30-49 year-old women in the north Ari district from April 15/2023 to May 15/2023. A simple random sampling technique was used to select cases and control a total selected women were 219 for the study. A pre-tested, interviewer based, structured questionnaire was used to collect data. Data were entered using Epidata 3.1 and exported to SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Science) version 25 for data analysis. Variables with a p-value of less than 0.25 in the bivariable analysis were included in the multivariable logistic regression, and a final p-value of < 0.05 with a 95% confidence interval for the adjusted odds ratio to determine the level of significance. RESULT: A total 216 women were participated in this study making a response rate of (98.7%). This study showed that no polygamy (AOR 0.23, 95%CI 0.12-0.44) a moderate level of knowledge about cervical cancer (AOR 6.75, 95%CI 1.9, 22.8), a high level of knowledge about cervical cancer (AOR 4.17, 95%CI 1.2, 14.1) and a positive attitude toward cervical cancer screening (AOR 3.57, 95%CI: 1.03, 12.30) were determinants of the utilization of cervical cancer screening. CONCLUSION: Being polygamous, having knowledge about cervical cancer, and having a positive attitude toward cervical cancer screening were determinants of the utilization of cervical cancer screening. Therefore, this study recommended that North Ari health services could increase health education for people with monogamous, poor knowledge about cervical cancer and a negative attitude toward cervical cancer screening through health campaigns in communities to enhance the utilization of cervical cancer screening.