Assessment of women’s knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs towards cervical cancer Screening in Nakaseke Health Centre III, Central Uganda

Abstract

Background: Cervical cancer is still a serious public health threat in Uganda, where cervical cancer screening uptake among who are eligible women is worryingly low. Therefore the understanding of women’s knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs toward cervical cancer screening is vital for designing context-specific interventions so to close the existing gap in the screening process for the cervical cancer. Objective: To assess women’s knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs toward cervical cancer screening at Nakaseke Health Centre III, Central Uganda. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 400 women aged 25–49 years attending Nakaseke Health Centre III between February and April 2020. Data were collected using structured questionnaires. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and logistic regression were used to examine associations between knowledge, attitudes, and sociodemographic factors. Statistical significance was considered at p < 0.05. Results: Overall, 72.8% of respondents had heard of cervical cancer, but only 38.5% had ever been screened. Higher education (AOR = 3.12; 95% CI: 1.65–5.91) and prior health facility exposure (AOR = 2.47; 95% CI: 1.34–4.55) were independently associated with good knowledge. Fear of diagnosis (56.3%) and cultural misconceptions (44.5%) were major barriers to screening. Women with positive attitudes toward screening were twice as likely to have been screened (AOR = 2.05; 95% CI: 1.16–3.63). Conclusion: Knowledge and screening uptake remain low in Nakaseke District, hindered by misinformation and limited access. Targeted education, inclusion of male partners in sensitization, and integration of screening into primary healthcare could improve participation.