Abstract:
: Cervical cancer screening is consistently effective in reducing the incidence
and mortality rates associated with cervical cancer. However, very few women have received
cervical cancer screening in the developing countries including Ethiopia. Therefore, this
study aims to assess cervical cancer screening intention and its predictors among child
bearing age women in Bahir Dar city, North-West Ethiopia.
Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 832 child bearing age women using a multistage sampling technique between March and April, 2018. Data
were collected using a structured questionnaire through face-to-face interviews. Data were
entered and analyzed using EpiData and SPSS version 20.0, respectively. Simple and multiple linear regression analyses were done to identify predictors of intention, and P<0.05 was
used as a cutoff to determine statistical significance at multiple regressions.
Results: Eight hundred and thirty-two (98%) respondents participated in this study. The
mean age of the participants was 31±SD 7.23 years, ranging from 18–49 years. The majority
(61.4%) of the participants were married. The mean score of intention to receive cervical
cancer screening was 10.5±2.03, with a minimum and maximum sore of 5 and 15, respectively. Four hundred and fifty-eight (55%) (95% CI=51.7–58.3) respondents scored above the
mean score. Direct perceived behavioral control (β=0.19, P<0.001), direct subjective norm
(β=0.06, P<0.001), direct attitude (β=0.15, P<0.001), and past screening experience (β=0.64,
P<0.001) were found to be significant predictors of intention.
Conclusion: Perceived behavioral control, attitude towards the behavior, subjective norm,
and past screening experience were the predictors of intention, and perceived behavioral
control was the strongest predictor. Hence, behavioral change communication interventions
are crucial to change their attitude and empower them to evaluate their control and normative
beliefs.
Keywords: cervical cancer, human papilloma virus, theory of planned behavior, Ethiopia
