Intention to screen for cervical cancer and factors associated among female healthcare professionals using the trans-theoretical model: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Abstract

AbstractBackground: Healthcare providers can serve as role models to facilitate a supportive environment that encourages women to utilize screening for cervical cancer. Equally important is that being a female healthcare professional does not prevent the risk of cervical cancer. Therefore, this study aims to assess the intention of screening with visual inspection of acetic acid (VIA) and its determinants among female healthcare professionals (HCPs), guided by the trans-theoretical model (TTM) of stages of behavior change.Method: A cross-sectional study design was used to test readiness for cervical screening among selected female HCPs. A structured, self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data. The analysis included descriptive statistics and logistic regression.Result: Four hundred sixty female HCPs with a mean age of M=33.8, +5 years participated. The intention to participate in cervical cancer screening was 44.1%. Over (half 52% of the participants) had poor knowledge of cervical cancer and screening. Regarding the TTM stages of change, 46.5% of participants indicated being in the pre-contemplation phase, suggesting they had never a VIA screen and had no intention of being screened within the next six months. In the final logistic regression model, four factors, including age, being screened in the past three years, taking care of patients with cervical cancer, and having good to moderate knowledge of cervical cancer and screening, were statistically significant, with large odds ratios for their association with intention to screen.Conclusions: Most of the participants were in the pre-contemplation phase, and the limited knowledge health workers had about cervical cancer screening is worrisome. Intervening in the factors that affect intention for screening is vital to reducing barriers to cervical screening among female healthcare workers as well as the broader female population in Ethiopia. Providing cancer screening guidelines to all HCPs, regardless of their specialty, could be a key factor in lessening the burden of cervical cancer. [Ethiop. J. Health Dev. 2023; 37(1) 000-000]Keyword: Intention, trans-theoretical model, health care professionals, visual inspection with acetic acid