ERVICAL CANCER SCREENING SERVICE UTILIZATION AND ITS ASSOCIATED FACTORS AMONG ELIGIBLE WOMEN ATTENDING IN HEALTH FACILITIES IN DIRE DAWA ADMINISTRATION, EASTERN ETHIOPIA

Abstract

Cancer is the uncontrolled growth and spread of abnormal cells without intervention it lead to death. Cervical cancer is easily preventable gynecological disease. In fact, it is the second most diagnosed and the third leading cancer death in females in developing countries. In Ethiopia cervical cancer is 2nd most diagnosed next to breast cancer. Despite government is expanding the screening centers and recommends to eligible women, prevention of cervical cancer by utilizing screening service has remained largely unaddressed. The objective of this study was to assess cervical cancer screening service utilization and its associated factors among Eligible women attending in Health Facilities in Dire Dawa Administration, Eastern, Ethiopia, from FebruaryMarch 2017.The methods of this study was conducted in Dire Dawa Administration, Eastern part of Ethiopia from February-March /2017.Cross-sectional study design was used. A systematic random sampling method was used to select 601study participant. Data was collected by face to face interview by 8 diploma nurse data collectors. The data was cleaned, edited and entered into Epi-Data 3.1 and then exported to SPSS 20 for analysis. Bivariate and multivariate analysis was done and information was presented by using frequencies, texts, tables and graphs. Variables with p-value < 0.05 was considered as significant factors for screening service utilization. The finding of this study showed that the prevalence of screening service utilization was 4%.The multivariate analysis showed that, older women40-49years) [AOR=4.2, 95% CI:4.2(1.30, 13.80)], attendants of private health facility [AOR=8.9, 95% CI:(2.82, 28)], government employee [AOR=3.3, 95% CI: (1.3, 8.8)] and gynecology unit attendants [(AOR= 3.8, 95% CI: (1.5, 9.8)], being knowledgeable [AOR= 4.8, 95% CI: (1.5, 15.5)], informed about cervical cancer by health care provider [AOR=4.1, 95% CI:(1.5, 11.3)], and use of family planning [AOR=4.9,95%CI: (1.20, 20)] were found to be predictors for screening service utilization. Generally finding of study revealed the magnitude of screening service uptake among respondents is very low compared to other studies in Ethiopia. The major reasons not screened was lack awareness about cervical cancer and its screening service, feeling of not risky, unable to decide to take it and fear of positive result. So, there should be work on increase client’s awareness creation activities through media, leaflets, community campaign on cervical cancer prevention.