Knowledge of cervical cancer and awareness of screening regimes/routines among HIV positive women in Swaziland

Abstract

Background Cervical cancer is one of the common cancers worldwide. Despite the available screening services, the uptake of cancer of the cervix is very low. The incidence and mortality in western countries has reduced greatly due to the introduction of cervical cancer screening programmes. However, this is not the same in Africa where cervical cancer is more prevalent in lower resource countries to lack of access to effective screening and services that enhances early detection and treatment. Purpose/Aim of the study The purpose of this research is to determine knowledge of cervical cancer and the level of awareness of screening regimes/routines among HIV positive women in Swaziland. The study was conducted at one hospital specifically at the HIV Care Unit and Public Health Unit between January and June 2015. Methods The questionnaire was administered to collect data and consisted both open and close-ended questions. The questionnaire comprises of three sections: Section A: Socio-demographic data and Section B: Awareness on Cervical Cancer. Section C: Awareness/knowledge on cervical cancer screening. The sample consisted of 123 HIV positive who are on antiretroviral therapy (ART) or ART naive. The mean age for the respondents was 35 years. Results From this study, N=28 (23%) out of 123 (77%) reported to have received annual Pap smear for cervical cancer screening. A low proportion of the respondents (45%) had knowledge on cervical cancer screening. In addition, 63% of those who got information about cervical cancer screening through the radio perceived themselves to be at risk of getting cervical cancer. Only 4% heard about cervical cancer at the ART clinic, despite having been followed up for their care at the HIV clinic. Those who screened for cervical cancer were younger in age 25-34 years (80%). This study also revealed that education increased the changes of a woman to be screened for cervical cancer. If a woman had a university or high school education, she perceived herself to be at risk of getting cervical cancer. Conclusion Knowledge is power, cervical cancer campaigns should be conducted at national level in order to promote prevention through screening. Cervical cancer screening should be fully integrated into HIV services