INTRAPERSONAL FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH CERVICAL CANCER SCREENING AMONG WOMEN IN FISHING COMMUNITIES OF ENTEBBE MUNICIPALITY, WAKISO DISTRICT. A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY.

Background The chances of developing cervical cancer in Uganda continue to rise especially in the fishing communities due to the relatively higher prevalence of inter-related personal risk factors. This study aimed to examine the Intrapersonal Factors Associated with Cervical Cancer Screening Among Women in Fishing Communities of Entebbe Municipality, Wakiso District. Methodology A descriptive cross-sectional survey study was conducted among women in the fishing communities of Entebbe-Municipality Wakiso district in Central Uganda and utilized quantitative methods of data collection. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire with multiple-response questions. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25, univariate, bivariate, and multivariate analysis were performed at 5% level significance. Results Of the 293 respondents that were interviewed, only 23.2% of women had ever been screened for cervical cancer. More than three-quarters of them knew that cervical cancer is not curable 234(79.9%). 150(51.2%) women mentioned that the age at the start of screening for cervical cancer in Uganda is 18 years and had 46% less prevalence of cervical cancer screening (cPR = 0.54 [0.33 - 0.90], p = 0.020). Among the perception attributes Cervical cancer screening prevalence was twice as high among women who agreed that cervical cancer is a curse from God (cPR = 2.43 [CI = 1.49 - 3.97], P = 0.000) compared to those who disagreed. Conclusion The intrapersonal factors associated with cervical cancer screening among women in the fishing communities of Entebbe municipality were mainly; marital status, employment status, knowledge of age at the start of the screening, and perceptions of the relevance of screening. Recommendation Communication and education should focus on awareness creation about the fact that even in a marriage where not much risky sexual behavior may be present, the risk of HPV infection remains apparent, for instance from sexually transmitted infections within the couple

Prevalence of Cervical Cancer Screening Among Women in Fishing Communities of Entebbe Municipality, Wakiso District. A Cross-sectional study.

Background: Cervical cancer disease in Uganda remains the leading causes of deaths among cancer patients, responsible for about 4,607 deaths annually. Despite the numerous modern treatment options and prevention strategies, cervical cancer screening prevalence remains undefined especially in the fishing communities and yet women living in fishing communities are core interest groups for cervical cancer due to their relatively higher risk of HIV and HPV infections. Methodology: A cross-sectional study employing a quantitative approach was performed, purposive sampling following a household survey was conducted. Structured interviews and questionnaires were administered to collect data from June 2021 to August 2021. Data were analyzed in SPSS version 25 using the log-binomial model. Results: prevalence of cervical cancer screening among women in fishing communities of Entebbe municipality, Wakiso district remains as low as 23.2%, mainly unsatisfactory among the married women (aPR = 0.232 [0.13 - 0.43], p < 0.001) and, Catholics (aPR = 0.050 [0.01 - 0.18], p < 0.001).  At the same time, higher cervical cancer screening prevalence was observed among employed women (aPR= 2.81 [1.48 - 5.33], p = 0.002), those who had prior recommendation from healthcare workers (aPR = 1.25 [0.09 - 0.65], p = 0.004), and those who perceived that cervical cancer is a curse from God (cPR = 2.800 [CI = 1.798 - 4.36], P = 0.000). Conclusion:  Cervical cancer screening is low among women in fishing communities of Entebbe municipality; only 2 in every 10 women have ever been screened for cervical cancer in their lifetime, while less than 1 in 10 had to follow-up of screening. Recommendation: Behavior change communication preferably using the intrapersonal channel on issues related to cervical cancer screening should be adopted in the fishing communities urgently if we are to elevate the uptake of this secondary prevention measure for cervical cancer