Abstract:
Introduction: Cervical cancer screening is a key to detect the pre cervical cancer earlier but
most cervical cancer cases are diagnosed at late stage. This may be due to the fact that little is
known about utilization of cervical cancer screening among female health workers in
resource limited countries like Ethiopia to adequately address all females in need of the
screening services.
Objective: To assess the utilization of cervical cancer screening and associated factors
among female health workers in Arba Minch town and zuria woreda public health
institutions, Gamo Gofa Zone.
Methods and Materials: A facility based cross-sectional study design was used in Arba
Minch town and zuriya woreda. The study participants were selected using by computer
generated technique of simple random sample and a total of 293 female health workers age
greater than 21 years took part in the study. The data were collected by means of self-
administered structured questionnaires. Data were entered using EPI info version 7.2.0.1 and
analysed by SPSS version 20 .The associations between explanatory and outcome variables
was assessed by binary logistic regression and those variables whose p value were less than
0.25 were included in multivariable analysis to identify factor associated with outcome
variable using odd ratio, 95% of confidence interval . Level of statistical significance was
declared by p value < 0.05.
Result: Two hundred eighty one questionnaires were correctly completed and among the
total respondents only 27 (9.6%) [95% CI 0.06-0.13] have had cervical screening within the
past three year. Service year of female health professions (AOR = 4.99, 95% CI: 1.36– 18.10)
and their knowledge of cervical cancer and screening (AOR 1.78, 95% CI: 1.05 - 3.02) were
significantly associated with utilization of cervical cancer screening.
Conclusion: The level of utilization of screening was low among female health workers.
Service year and good knowledge of female health professionals were associated with the
utilization of cervical screening.
Sustaining awareness creation and sensitization of screening should be given emphasis
broadly for female health workers to increase the level of utilization of cervical cancer
screening so that they serve as a role model to the entire community.
