UTILIZATION OF CERVICAL CANCER SCREENING AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS AMONG FEMALE HEALTH WORKERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH INSTITUTIONS INARBA MINCH TOWN AND ZURIYA WOREDA

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.