FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH CERVICAL CANCER SCREENING UPTAKE AMONG WOMEN IN TAMALE METROPOLIS NORTHERN REGION, GHANA

Abstract

Background: Even though cervical cancer may be avoided; it is the leading cause of death among women globally. It is the primary cause of cancer-related deaths among female patients in Africa. This study aimed to identify factors associated with cervical cancer screening uptake among women in the Tamale metropolis. Health Blief Model (HBM) framework was used. Methodology: A facility-based descriptive cross-sectional study with a quantitative method was carried out in major healthcare facilities in Tamale. A sample size of four hundred and twenty- three (423) women were sampled across the facilities. The participants were chosen at each facility using systematic random sampling (balloting). Descriptive analysis was done on the participant's demographics, and inferential statistics using the chi-square test of association on the participant's knowledge and attitude toward cervical cancer screening. The data were examined using SPSS version 20. Results: The study revealed that 31.8% of the respondents had screened for cervical cancer, 77.1% of them go for cervical cancer screening every year, indicating a positive attitude. Women who understand the disease were 7.18 times more likely to screen than those who did not [AOR=7.18 (CI: 4.19 - 12.29), p0.001]. Women with formal education were 15.91 times more likely to screen than women without education [AOR=15.91 (CI: 5.76 - 46.94), p0.001]. Conclusion: The study identified age, employment status, educational attainment, religion, marital status, number of births, family history of cervical cancer, and a general understanding of cervical cancer as crucial factors associated with screening uptake. Monitoring and evaluation of cervix cancer prevention and control programs on key program indicators should be done regularly. The Metropolitan Assembly must support female child education in the Metropolis.