Factors Influencing Intention to obtain Cervical Cancer Screening by HIV-Positive Women in the Central Region of Ghana

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.