Factors associated with management of cervical cancer patients at KCMC Hospital, Tanzania: a retrospective cross-sectional study

Abstract

Abstract: Cervical cancer is an important public health problem among adult women worldwide. It is the second commonest malignancy in female worldwide and the leading malignancy among women in Tanzania. In most developing countries, cancer of the cervix tends to be diagnosed in its later stages when is less treatable. This study aimed at assessing factors associated with management of cervical cancer at KCMC Hospital in northern Tanzania. A purpose sampling was used to select a total of 200 patient records out of 374 with complete information. Median age of cervical cancer patients was 51 years (range 21-84 years) and 81.5% were either married or co-habiting. Stage of the cervical cancer (χ2 = 28.63, p < 0.001) and age (χ2 = 12.62, P<0.05) were significant predictors for patient’s management plan, with 56% of cases seen at late cancer stage. Forty-seven percent of the cervical cancer patients were referred to Ocean Road Cancer Institute for radiotherapy and or chemotherapy. Patients discharged home for palliative care were 30% and 17% patients died at the hospital. Known HIV positive patients were significantly associated with death and terminal care seen at late stage than patients with unknown HIV sero-status (χ2 = 20.16, P<0.001). In conclusion, most of cervical cancer patients at KCMC are seen at late stage necessitating referral for radiotherapy, chemotherapy or palliative care. This may reflect lack of cervical screening in order to early detect and treat pre-malignant disease stage.