Abstract:

Background: Cervical cancer, is the most common cancer among women in Tanzania, and is strongly linked to human papilloma virus. The precancerous lesion can be detected by Pap smear screening, visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA) and visual inspection with lugol’s Iodine (VILI) and human papilloma virus deoxyribonucleic acid (HPV DNA) testing.

Objectives: the aim of this study was to assess knowledge, attitude and practices toward cervical cancer screening at Sekou Toure regional referral hospital (STRRH).

Method and Materials: this was a cross sectional study that was conducted at Sekou Toure regional referral hospital. It engaged all women attending general outpatient clinic (n= 185) who selected by convenient sampling. The basic key questions was based on knowledge, attitude and practices toward cervical cancer screening.

Results: generally the knowledge was poor, attitude was positive to the majority of the respondents and again practice was found to be very poor. The result showed that 123(66.6%) had poor knowledge, overall 120 (65%) of the respondents were positive about cervical cancer screening and only 36(20%) have ever been screened.

Conclusion: majority of women had poor knowledge and practice toward cervical cancer screening. Although majority had positive attitude toward screening some factors like screening center being far from women residential areas, lack of adequate information and perception that they are health to be screened hindered women not to screen for cervical cancer.

Recommendation: education regarding the crucial importance of screening for cervical cancer among women should be provided in full detail in terms of how is it performed, how long does it take, how many time should they be screened, any side effects and its benefits so as the women can be full aware of the screening procedure and their false perception can be cleared. More screening sites should be established so as to provide access to many women to screen for cervical cancer especially in village areas.