Abstract:

Background: Cervical cancer is one of the serious public health problem leading global cause of illness and mortality in women. Poor knowledge and bad attitudes toward utilization of cervical cancer screening is one of the worldwide communicated concerns.

Objectives: To assess knowledge, attitude and practices towards screening of cervical cancer among reproductive aged women attending outpatient gynecology clinics at Bugando Medical Centre Mwanza, Tanzania

Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional design used in this study conducted at Bugando Medical centre July 2023. Simple randomly sampling used to select 138 reproductive aged women. Structured questionnaire methods used to collect data from the respondents. All statistical data then entered in statistical package social science (SPSS) version 23.The ethical clearance and consideration was observed throughout the study

Results: A total of 138 respondents recruited in which 42% were aged less than 30 years and 69% were married. The study found that there is 25(18.1%) poor knowledge and bad attitudes on cervical cancer screening services. Also, study found the level of education of the women were significantly associated with cervical cancer screening services (p-value-0.001, CI-95%). Unexpectedly, other social demographic factor such as marital status, number of children and age were not associated with knowledge, attitude and practices of the cervical cancer screening.

Conclusion: The study found poor knowledge and negative attitudes toward cervical cancer practices. Lack of education within a community found to be main reason for the poor utilization screening services.

Recommendation: There is a need for well-organized cancer education programs to create awareness and to eliminate misconceptions regarding prevention of cervical cancer in the community.