SOCIO-DEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS INFLUENCING CERVICAL CANCER

Abstract

Background:Cervical cancer is one of the most public health burdens in the world.In Ethiopia, cervical cancer is the second most frequent cancer among women aged 15 to 44 years old. Cervical cancer screening is an effective measure to enhance the early detection of cervical cancer for prevention. However, the magnitude of cervical cancer screening is less than 1%. Aims:This study aimed to determine the influence of sociodemographic characteristics and related factors on screening.Methodology: A descriptive design is carried out on purposive sample of (150) women attending atEnam Medical College & Hospital, Savar, Dhaka, Bangladesh from January 2020 to Jun 2020. A questionnaire constructed for the purpose of the study. Content validity and internal consistency reliability for the study's questionnaire are determined through a pilot study. Data is collected through the study instrument using the interview technique as means of data collection. Data were analyzed through the application of descriptive and inferential statistical analysis approaches. Data analysis reveal that women, who are obese, exposed to genital infections and use oral contraceptive drug are at risk for cervical cancer. Results:This  study was description presented, the samples demographic characteristics reveals that most of women are (25-34) year old, equally distributed relative to their marriage status, the majority of them are (15-24) year old when they get married, secondary school graduates, employed and housewife with family monthly income of 10001-15000 BDT. Women's body mass index results illustrates that most of them are overweight and obese. Most of the women are (25-34) year old; equally distributed relative to their marriage status; at (15-24) year of age at marriage; secondary school graduates; employed and housewife with family monthly income of10001-15000 BDT. Indicate that cervical cancer's preventive measures have significant relationships with women's age at marriage and their body mass index, and not significant with the remaining of women's socio-demographic characteristics.Other factors including low monthly income, unlikely chance of having cancer, lack of knowledge, and fear test outcome were significantly associated with the low uptake of screening.Conclusion:This study revealed that the uptake of cervical cancer screening was low. Women in the potential target population of cervical cancer screening were just a proportion of all studied age groups and screening in them was more common than in younger women. Besides, rural residence, low monthly income, and lack of knowledge were important predictors for low utilization of cervical cancer screening practice.