Factors associated with utilization of cervical cancer screening services among HIV positive women aged 18 to 49 years at Lira Regional Referral Hospital, Northern Uganda

Abstract

Abstract Background Women with HIV have a higher risk of getting cervical cancer due to induced immunosuppression. Though this burden could be avoided through early identification and appropriate management, there is a paucity of information about the utilization of cervical cancer screening (CCS) services in Lira City. This study investigated the level and factors associated with the utilization of cervical cancer screening services among HIV positive women aged 18 to 49 years at Lira Regional Referral Hospital, Lira City. Methods We conducted a facility-based cross-sectional study employing quantitative techniques. We used consecutive sampling to recruit 297 HIV positive women at the ART clinic of Lira Regional Referral Hospital. Structured researcher-administered questionnaires were used to collect data. Ethical approval was sought from Lira University Research Ethics Committee (LUREC-2022-5). Descriptive statistics were performed to summarize the data. Logistic regression was performed to ascertain the factors associated with the utilization of cervical cancer screening. Odds ratios at 95% confidence intervals were reported. Results The study had a perfect response rate. Majority of the respondents 157(52.9%) were aged 31–49 years, 153(51.5%) had para 1–3, 141(47.5%) married, 142(47.8%) completed secondary education, 150(50.5%) self-employed and 176(59.3%) were diagnosed with the HIV infection five years ago. Out of 297 respondents, 175(58.9%) utilized cervical cancer screening and the factors associated were having ever heard of CCS (p < 0.001), knowing where CCS is done (p < 0.001), fear of CCS outcomes (p < 0.001), not knowing whether CCS is beneficial or not (p = 0.002) and having friends/relatives who screened for cervical cancer (p = 0.05). Conclusion The level of utilization of cervical cancer screening services is suboptimal, with only four in ten women with HIV infection in Lira City utilizing the services. This signifies a daring need to integrate screening services into routine HIV services, and also step up continuous education among women.