Abstract:
The purpose of this study was to determine the factors influencing intention to obtain cervical cancer screening by HIV-positive women in the Central Region of
Ghana. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted with 660 HIV-positive
women aged 20 to 65 years using interviewer administered questionnaire. Data were summarised using frequencies, percentages and binary logistic regression
analysis. The findings showed that 82% (n = 540) of the respondents had
intention to seek cervical cancer screening. The predictors of cervical cancer
screening intention by HIV-positive women were knowledge about cervical cancer screening, cues, perceived seriousness, perceived benefits and level of
education. Specifically, HIV-positive women with moderate knowledge about
cervical cancer screening were 3.54 times more likely to have intention to screen
(95% Cl, 1.61-83), high knowledge about cervical cancer screening were 2.75
times (95% CI, 1.43-5.31), high cues were 3.48 times (95% CI, 1.43-8.49), high
perceived seriousness were 2.02 times (95% CI, 1.24-3.30), high perceived
benefits were 1.68 times (95% CI, 1.05-2.71), low level of education were 2.67
times (95% CI, 1.61-4.42), and high level of education were 3.16 times (95% CI,
1.42-7.02) more likely to have intention to screen. Cervical cancer screening
initiatives for HIV-positive women need to focus on increasing knowledge about
screening, cues, and enable women to have high perception of the benefits and
seriousness of the disease. Education of women should be given the needed
priority as it could enable them adopt behaviours that will decrease risk of
cervical cancer and promote health.
