Abstract

Globally, cervical cancer ranks fourth among the most frequent cancers that affect women. Currently, it is estimated that every
year 527,624 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer, most of whom are in less developed countries. Meanwhile, 265,672 women
die from the disease. In Africa, the disease has the highest morbidity and mortality rates among women aged 15 and above. Eightyfive
percent of the 265,672 cervical cancer-related deaths in the world occur in sub-Saharan Africa. In Uganda, cervical cancer
ranks as the leading cause of female cancer and is the most common cancer in women aged 15 to 44 years. This study will therefore
seek to explore the factors that influence the utilization of cervical cancer screening services by women of reproductive age in
Ishaka Town, Bushenyi District in Southwestern Uganda. In a cross-sectional quantitative descriptive study, 150 women aged 25-
49 in Ishaka Town, Bushenyi District, were interviewed by answering questionnaires to explore the factors that influence the
utilization of cervical cancer screening services. Significant associations between the factors and the utilization of cervical cancer
screening were determined using P-Values. The study established that the majority (72%) of the respondents had not undergone
cervical cancer screening, most of whom (78%) were in the age group of 25-33 years. The study further established that there was a
significant association between the level of education, inadequate knowledge and perception about cervical cancer, and cervical
cancer screening services, as well as individual awareness about cervical cancer screening in Ishaka Town, Bushenyi District. The
study established that there were significant associations between education level, inadequate knowledge about cervical cancer, and
perception and awareness of the need for cervical cancer screening.