Factors Affecting Cervical Cancer Screening Amongst Women Attending Postnatal Clinic at Windhoek Central Hospital, Namibia.

Abstract

Cervical cancer is one of the most debilitating diseases known to mankind. Many industrialized countries have reduced the incidence of cervical cancer through preventive measures. This study adopted a descriptive cross-sectional and phenomenological design to explore the factors influencing cervical cancer screening amongst 200 conveniently chosen women who attended the postnatal ward at Windhoek Central Hospital in Windhoek. The study instrument was a researcheradministered questionnaires and interview guide. The quantitative data was analysed with SPSS and qualitative data were analysed by Tanner and Diekelmann method. Of the 200 women who participated in the study, only 59 (29.5%) had undergone screening for cervical cancer in the past 12 months, whereas 141 (70.5%) had never had screening at any point in their lives. There was a significantly low rate of screening in women younger than 25 years, There was no correlation between cervical cancer screening and prior knowledge of screening services before the study. Identified barriers to screening are fear surrounding cervical cancer screening, socioeconomic status and lack of awareness
of cervical cancer screening. Despite a higher proportion of women who are aware about cervical cancer screening services, there was a low practice of screening among women attending the postnatal. Efforts to increase women's participation in cervical cancer screening must target the barriers identified by this study.