Determinants of cervical cancer screening uptake among women in Yaounde-Cameroon: A population-based study

Abstract

Background Cervical cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths among women in Cameroon. Although screening enables the early detection and treatment of pre-cancerous lesions thereby stopping the progression into the fatal malignant form, however many women are still reluctant to go for screening. The screening rate among women in Yaounde is not known. We therefore purposed to estimate the uptake of cervical cancer screening and associated factors among age eligible women in Yaounde. Method We carried out a population-based cross sectional study where we purposed to sample 404 women between the ages of 25-64 years in Yaounde. The sample size was calculated using the Cochrane formula for single population proportions. A multistage proportionate sampling method was used to recruit the respondents. Semi-structured questionnaires were used to collect data on socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge and awareness of cervical cancer screening, and health care access dimension. We analyzed the data using the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS 21) software. Proportions between screened and unscreened groups were analyzed using the Chi square test. Statistical significance level was set at p<0.05 at a 95% confidence level. Ethical approval was obtained prior to the implementation of the study. Results 415 of 437 women (95%) interviewed completed the questionnaires. The median age of the women was 31 years (IQR=11years). Only 12.8% of the women had ever been screened for cervical cancer while 11.2% were screened in the last 3years. Screening uptake was significantly associated with age (p<0.001), marital status (p<0.001), affordability and acceptability dimensions of access to healthcare, having ever received knowledge on cervical cancer (p<0.001), being aware of screening campaigns (p<0.001), and knowing someone diagnosed of the disease (p<0.001). Conclusion Cervical cancer screening uptake among women in Yaounde is very low. The age of the women, their marital status, affordability and acceptability dimensions of access to healthcare likewise receiving cervical cancer information and being aware of screening campaigns were significantly associated with screening uptake. There is need to carry out further studies in a larger scale to elucidate this situation.