Abstract:

Background: Cervical cancer is a globally uniform disease in terms of etiology and pathogenesis. The same limited set of HPV types (HPV subtypes 16 and 18) cause cervical cancer everywhere, and the natural history of cervical carcinogenesis is consistent throughout the world. Because HPV vaccination is still new, HPV prevalence and secondary prevention efforts are the main determinants of the cervical cancer burden. Thus, we can examine varying regional public health responses without regional differences in cancer etiology and natural history. About 90% of people do have HPV infection, but their sequel has been associated with immune suppuration brought about by conditions such as acquiring HIV infection.

Objectives: This study aimed at examining the knowledge on risk factors; symptoms of cervical cancer among HIV affected women (aged above 18 years) who attended CTC at Mnazi Mmoja hospital September 2018.

Methodology: A random survey was carried out among women aged above 18 years of age already diagnosed to have HIV and are attending CTC at Mnazi Mmoja hospital. Every female HIV positive at CTC at Mnazi Mmoja hospital at the time of data collection was interviewed in Kiswahili language using a pre-tested structured questionnaire on cervical cancer knowledge.

Results: From the study done reveal that 66.7% of IDS women attending CTC at Mnazi Mmoja hospital, Dar es Salaam interviewed were knowledgeable about cervical cancer. Where out of them 71.8%, 41.3% and 57.8% knew symptoms, risk factors and presence of screening method of cervical cancer respectively; furthermore only 14% of the knowledgeable women had already previously been screened for the cancer.

Conclusion and Recommendation: Cervical cancer screening is the most effective approach for cervical cancer control, and it is associated with reduced incidence and mortality from the disease. Therefore there should be provision of education on the risk factors and symptoms of cervical cancer and be involved in screening campaign.