Factors Affecting the Practices of Cervical Cancer Screening among Female Nurses at Public Health Institutions in Mekelle Town, Northern Ethiopia, 2014: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Objective . In Ethiopia, the age-adjusted incidence rate of cervical cancer is high, 35.9 per 100,000 women. Despite this fact, cervical cancer screening coverage in Ethiopia is very low. The objective of this study is to assess the magnitude and factors affecting the practices of cervical cancer screening among female nurse in Mekelle Town, Tigray, Northern Ethiopia, 2014. Methods . This study used a cross-sectional design. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression was used to evaluate factors associated with cervical cancer screening practice. Results . A total of 225 female nurses participated in the study. The magnitude of cervical cancer screening practice among these nurses was 10.7%, within the past five years of the survey. Attitude and work place of the respondents were significantly associated with a history of cervical cancer screening practices with an adjusted odds ratio (AOR) of 3.023, 95% CI (1.134–8.059), and 3.424, 95% CI (1.080–10.853), respectively. Conclusion . The study showed that the magnitude of the cervical screening practice is very low among nurse health professionals. Negative attitude and workplace were identified to be the predictors of decision for cervical cancer test.