Factors associated with cervical cancer screening among women attending gynecological consultations at the Maroua Regional Hospital, Cameroon

Abstract

This study aimed to assess the factors associated with cervical cancer screening at the Maroua Regional Hospital. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 376 women aged ≥25 years attending gynecological consultations at the Maroua Regional Hospital between February and May 2023. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire survey. These factors were evaluated through multiple logistic regression analyses, and associations were established by calculating the odds ratios, confidence intervals, and p-values. A total of 376 women were interviewed. Their mean age was 39.21 ± 10.45 years. Of the 376 women, 9.3% had already been screened for cervical cancer. Results of multivariate analyses indicated that age ≥45 years, belief that every woman should be screened at age 25 years, perceived need for frequent screening, use of screening as a preventive measure, and having had first intercourse before age 15 years or between ages 15 and 20 years significantly increased the likelihood of having been screened. Strategies need to be developed to improve access to cervical cancer screening services in Cameroon by strengthening existing screening programs and effectively implementing campaigns to improve access to screening services.

Keywords

Associated factors / Screening / Cancer / Cervix / Maroua

Acknowledgments

Our gratitude goes to the Université des Montagnes Ethics and Quality Assurance Committee (UdM-QAC), Far North Regional Public Health Delegate, and Director of Maroua Regional Hospital for the research authorizations issued. We would also like to thank all the research participants for voluntarily agreeing to take part in this study, and all those who contributed in any way to its success.

Funding

None.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare they have no competing interests.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare they have no competing interests.

Author contributions

Conceptualization: Verance Carline Kegha Ngodem

Formal analysis: Godfroy Rostant Pokam Djoko

Investigation: Protais Cédric Mouenbori Sawi, Manuela Tchinda Magne, Laura Ladouce Yanguem

Methodology: Godfroy Rostant Pokam Djoko

Writing-original draft: Verance Carline Kegha Ngodem, Thierry Malex Nwafo Ndjimafo

Writing-review & editing: Alice Ketchaji

Ethical considerations and participant consent

To carry out this study, we obtained ethical clearance from the Institutional Ethics and Assurance Committee of Université des Montagnes (IEACUdM) [N°2023/081/ UDM/PR/CEAQ], research authorization from the Far North Regional Public Health Delegate [N°262/L/ MISANTE/SG/DRSPEN]. Subsequently, an agreement was obtained from the director of the Maroua Regional Hospital, to which was added an agreement obtained through the signing of informed consent by the participants to justify their voluntary participation in the research. In addition, confidentiality and anonymity were safeguarded during data collection.

Consent for publication

Not applicable.

Availability of data

All data used and/or analyzed for this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

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