Abstract

Cervical cancer stands as the leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women in
Uganda, with a prevalence rate of 48/100,000, one of the world's highest. Tragically, over
80% of cases are diagnosed at an advanced stage, limiting treatment options. Early detection
through screening among women aged 25 and above, followed by prompt treatment, can
prevent most cases. This study aimed to assess knowledge, attitudes, and practices
concerning cervical cancer screening among female patients at Comboni Hospital.
Conducted as a cross-sectional descriptive study, it involved 350 women aged 20-49
seeking healthcare services at the hospital. Data collection employed a pretested
questionnaire, and analysis utilized IBM SPSS version 25. The respondents, with a mean age
of 31.73 years, were predominantly married (76.6%) and self-employed (42.9%), with 22.3%
having completed tertiary education. While 92.3% were aware of cervical cancer, only 46%
had contemplated undergoing screening, and merely 26.3% had been screened. Media
served as the primary information source for 53.7% of participants, and half of those
screened did so due to healthcare workers' advice. Barriers to screening included high costs
(27.7%), fear of positive results (14.6%), and apprehension about the screening process itself
(14.3%). Despite a high level of awareness about cervical cancer, low screening uptake was
attributed to the expense and unavailability of services. To improve access, the government
should decentralize screening services to lower-tier health centers by training and
equipping lower-level healthcare workers, particularly midwives. This strategy aims to
overcome barriers and enhance screening accessibility for a larger population.
Keywords: knowledge, attitude, practice, cervical cancer.