Factors Affecting Uptake of Cervical Cancer Screening Services Among Women of Reproductive Age in Buwolya Village, Mayunge District.

Abstract

Cervical cancer screening is as an early strategy to prevent cancer of the cervix by finding and treating early anatomical changes that may occur at the neck of the uterus called the cervix (WHO 2015). This intervention can help to control the escalating numbers of women reporting to health facility with advanced cervical cancer and the associated financial and psychosocial.

The study will assessed the factors influencing uptake of cervical cancer screening services among women of reproductive age in Buwolya Village, Mayuge District. The study adopted a descriptive cross sectional study design in which quantitative approaches of data collection and analysis were used. Information was derived directly from respondents by use of face-to-face interviews using structured interviewer guided questionnaires. The study population for this study comprised of women of reproductive age (18years and above) who had resided in Buwolya village for at least one year.

Four socio-demographic factors had a statistically significant influence on the up take of screening of cervical cancer among women of reproductive age in Buwolya Village. The Age of respondents influenced cervical cancer screening uptake (p = 0.021, X2 = 7.117), and so did the Marital status (p = 0.000, X2 = 15.784), Education level (p = 0.000, X2 = 27.249), and the number of children the respondent had (p = 25.465, X2 = 0.000).

Results from this study indicated that uptake of cervical cancer screening by women in their reproductive age stands at 5%. For that reason therefore, the District Health Team and the Local leadership need to institute drastic measures to launch a health education campaign in this community in order to demystify any myths and misconceptions that may be existing and to create demand for the service.