Environmental and psychosocial predictors of cervical cancer screening among women in Gwagwalada Area Council, Abuja, North Central, Nigeria

Abstract

Cervical cancer (CC) is the second leading cause of cancer morbidity and mortality among Nigerian women. Although screening is a cost-effective strategy for reducing its burden, uptake remains sub-optimal. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 514 sexually active women aged ≥25 years in Gwagwalada Area Council, Abuja, Nigeria using a semi-structured interviewer administered questionnaire. Mean age of respondents was 38.4±11.6years. 246(46.9%) had good knowledge of CC screening while 268(51.2%) had poor knowledge. Religion (aOR:1.8 [95% CI: 1.1 - 3.1]), location (aOR:1.2 [95% CI: 1.2 - 3.4) and number of children (aOR:2.3 [95% CI: 1.3 - 3.9]) were predictors for screening. Poor access routes to health facilities (aOR:0.5 [95% CI: 0.2 – 0.9]), high cost of screening (aOR:0.4 [95% CI: 0.2 – 0.9]), unaware of screening centers (aOR:0.4 [95% CI: 0.2 – 0.9]) and long waiting hours (aOR:0.5 [95% CI: 0.2 – 0.9) were identified environmental predictors. Fear of positive diagnosis/stigma (aOR:0.3 [95% CI: 0.1 – 0.9]), unacceptable touch (aOR:0.2 [95% CI: 0.1 – 0.8), deficiency in awareness programs (aOR:0.3 [95% CI: 0.2 – 0.7]), and not aware of appropriate screening age (aOR:0.1 [95% CI: 0.1 – 0.4]) were identified psychosocial predictors. This study highlights the need to intensify enlightenment programs, subsidize screening services, and encourage community screening.