Factors associated with utilization of cervical cancer screening services among women at a tertiary hospital in eastern Uganda: A cross sectional study.

Background: Globally, cervical cancer can be cured if diagnosed at an early stage and treated promptly. However, this is rarely done in low- and middle-income countries, where the highest rates of cervical cancer incidence and mortality are reported. In Uganda, less than 20% of the targeted population utilize cervical cancer screening services despite these being readily available in health facilities across the country at no cost. We aimed to determine the factors associated with utilization of cervical cancer screening services among women of reproductive age at Mbale regional referral hospital in eastern Uganda. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study involving 355 participants, we recruited clients attending the family planning clinic at Mbale regional referral hospital. We conducted multivariable logistic regression to determine the factors associated with utilization of cervical cancer screening services. Data were analyzed in Stata version 14.1. Results: Only 33/355 (9.3 %) women had ever utilized cervical cancer screening services. Majority of the women 23/33(69.7 %) who had ever screened for cervical cancer, did so after recommendation by a health worker. Utilization of cervical cancer screening services was associated with: maternal age of 30 years and above [Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) 11.25 Confidence Interval (CI) (3.67-34.55)] and being more knowledgeable about cervical cancer [AOR 5.13 95 % CI (1.75-15.08)]. Conclusion: Adequate knowledge about cervical cancer and level of utilization of cervical cancer screening services was low among women at a regional referral hospital in Eastern Uganda. We recommend the following interventions targeted at increasing access to services and health literacy levels in the community. 1. Integrating cervical cancer screening into existing community outreach programs such as immunization. 2. Use of mass media and text messages in local dialects to communicate information about cervical cancer. 3. Community led campaigns and outreaches aimed at educating the public about risk factors and available methods of prevention of cervical cancer. 4. Health workers are also encouraged to routinely recommend and encourage cervical cancer screening services to all women of reproductive age that are under their care.