Abstract

Globally, cervical cancer stands as a pressing health issue for women, ranking as the
second most common cancer type among females worldwide. A study conducted at Fort
Portal Regional Referral Hospital in Fort Portal City aimed to assess the prevalence and
factors impacting the participation of women of reproductive age in cervical cancer
screening tests. Employing a cross-sectional descriptive design with quantitative methods,
the study utilized a consecutive sampling technique, surveying 96 respondents through
self-administered questionnaires. Data analysis involved coding and entry via SPSS 20.1,
with findings presented through tables, graphs, and pie charts. Results indicated that only
a quarter of respondents (25%) had undergone cervical cancer screening, predominantly
opting for Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid (VIA) (58.3%). Notably, a significant proportion
of screened individuals (66.7%) hailed from rural areas, and the majority (66.7%) had a
parity of 3 or fewer children. Moreover, 58.3% of those screened reported earning more
than 400,000 shs per month. Unexpectedly, reluctance accounted for 44.8% of respondents'
reasons for not undergoing screening. In summary, despite free accessibility to the service,
there's a notably low prevalence of cervical cancer screening. Reluctance and fear
associated with the procedure emerged as significant barriers hindering the uptake of
cervical cancer screening among the surveyed population.
Keywords: Cervical cancer, Reproductive age, Mothers, Women, Human papillomavirus