Uptake of cervical cancer screening and associated factors among market vendors in Mbarara City Markets, Uganda

Abstract

Background: Cervical cancer is one of the most common cancers among women worldwide and the leading cause of cancer death among women in developing countries. There is low cervical cancer screening uptake (10%) in Uganda. This low uptake contributes to over 80% women that are diagnosed with late-stage cancer that is difficult to treat in local health facilities. Urban sub populations like market vendors majority of whom have been reported to be in reproductive age bracket and yet with poor health seeking behaviours could unfortunately, be among those not optimally seeking health care and early diagnosis for cervical cancer 60.3% at MRRH. Hence a need to assess, knowledge, and uptake of cervical cancer screening uptake and associated factors among female market vendors in Mbarara city markets Methodology: The study used quantitative methods to collect data among 321 female market vendors from Mbarara city markets. An interviewer administered questionnaire was used to collect information from female market vendors. Uptake of cervical cancers screening was self-reported and a percentage of those who had ever screened was presented. Using STATA version 14.0 version Data were analysed at univariate and bivariate levels. Modified Poisson regression was used at multivariable analysis and prevalence ratios (PR) with their 95% confidence intervals are reported. Results: The total participants were 321 and the mean age of study participants was 34 years (SD=7.1).The overall uptake of cervical cancer screening among female market vendors was 20.2% (65/321 at 95% CI 0.158-0.246) Mbarara city markets. Being knowledgeable on cervical cancer treatment method and knowledge on whether HPV is cervical cancer risk factor were associated with uptake of cervical cancer screening. The uptake of cervical cancer screening among market vendors aged between 35-44 years was twice (APR 1.95, (95%CI 1.17-3.26)) that of female market vendors who were aged 25-34 years. Conclusion: The study findings show low level of Knowledge and low uptake of cervical cancer screening. The study revealed that knowledge on at least one treatment method, knowledge on sexually transmitted diseases as a risk factor and the age group of market vendors were associated with screening uptake. The study recommends that low knowledge level should be improved by adopting health promotion using IEC and health education strategies to vendors. These strategies help in sensitizing of like use of peer educator, outreaches or policy shift to integrate cancer screening into primary health care package will improve uptake among market vendors