Knowledge, Attitudes, Beliefs and Practices of Cervical Cancer Screening Services among HIV/AIDS Positive Women of Mumbwa District

Abstract

Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among women worldwide and is the leading cause of cancer related deaths in developing countries. Despite efforts to establish screening services in Mumbwa district, uptake of cervical cancer screening services among HIV/AIDS positive women remains low. The aim of this study was to assess knowledge, attitudes, beliefs and practices of cervical cancer screening services among HIV/AIDS positive women of Mumbwa district. This study was a descriptive case study of 30 women respondents aged 20 years and above from Mumbwa district. The data was collected using an interview guide on knowledge, attitudes, beliefs and practices regarding cervical cancer screening among HIV/AIDS positive women. Majority minority of the respondents (HIV/AIDS positive women) reported to have heard about cervical cancer, and only a few of the respondents correctly mentioned human papilloma virus (HPV) as the cause of cervical cancer. Majority of the respondents had a negative attitude towards cervical cancer screening, most of the respondents argued that cervical cancer screening does little to prevent or treat cervical cancer hence and considered it a share waste of money. majority of the respondents indicated that religiously and culturally, it is believed that a female should not show are nakedness to a man who is not her husband, this belief has strong influence on HIV/AIDS women perception of cervical cancer screening. 60% of the respondents indicated having been screened for cervical cancer at least once in their life time. And majority of those respondents who reported to have been screened for cervical cancer once in their life time, were screened in the last 12 months. Most of the respondents got screened for cervical cancer after having tested positive for HIV/AIDS. The utilization of cervical cancer screening services was affected with low knowledge of the services at the facility. Multifaceted approaches, including intensifying efforts on promoting awareness towards cervical cancer screening, are needed to address barriers to utilization of cervical cancer screening services, as well as identify support systems that encourage women to use reproductive health services, thereby reducing incidence and mortality rates from cervical cancer.