Assessing The Knowledge, Practices And Attitudes On Cervical Cancer Screening Among Females Aged (21-50) Years In Ishaka Bushenyi District

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Cervical cancer remains a leading cause of death among women in low-resource

settings, and virtually every case of cervical cancer is caused by HPV (Ferlay et. al; 2004). It is

the third most common cancer in women worldwide and according to WHO (2008), 275 000

deaths were recorded out of the estimated 529 000 new cases. Specific objective of this study

was to determine the practices of females aged 21-50 years towards the prevention approach,

early detection and management of cervical cancer.

Results: 77% of study subjects reported being aware of available cervical cancer management

and prevention services; while 23% did not know of the available services. 44% of the study

respondents suggested vaccination, 23.6% mentioned through health education, 25.20%

indicated that continuous surveillance is the best approach for cervical cancer prevention. 5%

said safer sex, 2% believed the use of herbs can prevent cervical cancer, while 1% mentioned

prayers as a way out. 38.7% learnt about Pap smear from health workers, 16.1% became aware

of Pap smear through friends. 38.7% got information on Pap smear from mass media, while

6.5% talked of other sources. Only 23% of the study subjects had ever under gone Pap smear

screening. 77% had never got a chance to be screened by use of Pap smear. 53% response

indicated Pap smear is useful, 8.7% believe Pap smear is not needed, 20% had no idea whether

Pap smear is useful or harmful while 18.3% believe Pap smear is harmful. 61.1% response

indicated multiple partners, 27.8% had one sexual partner while 11.1% were not ready to reveal

the number of their sexual partners.

Conclusions:

Many females do not receive necessary education about reproductive health and cervical cancer in particular.

Even with education, women often lack access to cervical cancer services. In areas where condoms are available they are not always used because of the unpopularity of this method among women.

Scanty facilities that provide cervical cancer services actually exist in Uganda. There is resistance to reproductive health services and cervical cancer screening methods in Uganda.

Recommendations.

Improving and expanding of cervical cancer services in both public plus private hospital are needed the utilization and success of these services.

Initiatives to involve men in cervical cancer prevention are needed in Uganda, service providers have to recognize and value male participation. Regular and more consistent supply of cervical cancer supplies should be implemented.

Providers should give good counseling and education and where necessary schedule returnvisits for better management and success of cervical cancer interventions.