Factors associated with cervical cancer among women of reproductive age group in Swaziland

Abstract

The study is informed by inadequate information on factors associated with the prevalence, incidence and mortality of cervical cancer cytological abnormalities in Swaziland. The aim of the study was to explore and describe factors associated with cervical cancer among women of reproductive age between 15 and 49 years in Swaziland. Quantitative descriptive design with a data extraction tool was used to retrospectively generate observational data from 1748 patients’ records in Mbabane Government Hospital from January 2014 through to December 2014. Bivariate logistic regression was used to establish relationship between cervical cancer and each explanatory variable. The overall prevalence of cervical cytology test results was 24.9%. The combination of marital status, HIV status, ART status, age at sexual debut have been identified as factors associated with cervical abnormalities. Most importantly, the results will also serve as evidence for the development of a national cervical cancer screening policy and also strengthening the cancer registry in Swaziland.