Utilization of cervical cancer screening service among female health workforces in public health institutions in south east Ethiopia, a cross-sectional study.

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Globally, cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer, accounting for 6.6%of all female cancers, and ranks as the second leading cause of female cancer deaths. Cervical cancer can be avoided if asymptomatic women are screened for precancerous cervical lesions and treated before they progress to invasive disease. Female health workforces are expected to be in a better position to be motivated and initiate society towards the screening by being role models, but there have been few studies done in Ethiopia to assess the utilization of cervical cancer screening services and its associated factors among female health workforces. Objective: To assess utilization of cervical cancer screening service and associated factors among female health workforces in public health institutions Bale zone, Sothern Ethiopia. Methods: An institution-based cross-sectional study design was conducted among 266 female health workforces from May 1 st to May 30th, 2021 using a self-administered questionnaire. Data was entered on Epi data 3.1 software and exported to Statistical package for social science (SPSS) software version 25 for analysis. Logistic regression was used to identify the independent predictors of cervical cancer screening. Statistical significance for the multivariable logistic regression analysis was set at p < 0.05. Result: Out of the total sample size (n = 266), 258 have responded to the questionnaire completely, making the response rate 97 %. The utilization of cervical cancer screening services was 38 (14.7 %). There were significant associations between working in hospitals with an adjusted odd ratio (AOR [95 % CI] = 4.814 [1.774-13.06]) and serving 7 years and above [95 % 44 CI = 5.988 [2.096-17.1]) and utilization of cervical cancer screening services. Conclusion: and recommendations: The proportion of utilization of cervical cancer screening services among female health workforces in Bale Zone was very low. Working in hospitals and prolonged work experience were independent predictors of the utilization of cervical cancer screening services. Sustaining awareness creation and sensitization of screening through training and experience sharing should be given broad emphasis for female health workforces to increase their utilization of screening services.