KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICE TO CERVICAL CANCER SCREENING AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS AMONG WOMEN AGED 30-49 YEARS AT FINOTE SELAM TOWN, NOTH WEST, ETHIOPIA, 2017

Abstract

Background: Despite its preventability, cervical cancer reported to affect an estimated 485,000 women were diagnosed and 236,000 deaths in 2013 worldwide. In Ethiopia annually an estimated 7,095 new cervical cancer cases were diagnosed and 4,732 died from it. Evidence on knowledge, attitude and practice to cervical cancer screening is scarce in Ethiopia. Objectives: The objective of the study was to assess Knowledge, attitude and practice to cervical cancer screening and associated factors among women aged 30-49 years at Finote Selam town, North West Ethiopia, 2017. Methods: Community based cross-sectional study was conducted with sample of 1137 out of 1152 women aged 30-49 years in Finote Selam town from March 30, 2017- April 15.2017. A cluster sampling technique was used and pretested structured questionnaire was used to collect the data. Bivariate and Multivariable logistic regression analyses were done. Adjusted odds ratio with 95% confidence interval was used to determine the degree and direction of association between covariates and the outcome variable. Results: Less than one third (30.3%) of women had knowledge about cervical cancer and 58.1% of women had favorable attitude towards cervical cancer screening. However, only 3% of study participant were screened for cervical cancer. In multivariable analyses primary education(AOR=1.65,95%CI:1.052.57),secondaryeducation(AOR=5.59,95%C(I3.25-9.63),college

and above(AOR=7.21,95%CI(3.41-15.29), knew anyone who had cervical cancer(

AOR =5.38,95%CI(2.38-12.15) and women history of sexual transmitted disease (AOR=2.75,95%CI1.24-6.04) were significantly associated with Knowledge to cervical cancer and educational status college and above (AOR=2.56,95%CI1.145.69),knew

anyone who had cervical cancer (AOR=3.24,95%CI (1.14-9.15) and women knowledge about cervical cancer (AOR=3,95%CI(1.97-4.29) associated with attitude towards cervical cancer screening. Conclusion and recommendation: women knowledge on cervical cancer was poor and attitude towards cervical cancer screening was fairly favorable. Cervical cancer screening practice was extremely low, based on finding information provision about the disease and screening service is required. Keywords: Finote Selam town, women age 30-49 year抯 knowledge, attitude, screening practice.