Abstract:
Background: Cervical cancer (CC) ranks second as the leading cause of cancer
morbidity and mortality in Nigeria, despite being preventable through screening.
Female health workers (HCWs) are expected to be role models to motivate society
towards Cervical Cancer Screening Service (CCSS)uptake. This study assesses the
utilization of CCSS and associated factors among HCWs in three area councils of
Abuja, Nigeria.
Method: A cross-sectional design aimed at assessing the utilization of CCSS by
HCWs in 13 health facilities across 3 area councils in Abuja. Study participants
were selected using a multi-stage sampling technique. The outcome variable was
“ever used CCSS” dichotomized into a “Yes” or “No” response. Factors associated
with participants' utilization of CCSS were examined using a binary logistic
regression at p<0.05 level of statistical significance.
Results: Data from 350 participants (90.6%) were analyzed. Most were married
women, 290 (82.9%), between the ages of 21 to 30 years, 275 (78.6%). About twothirds
of the participants, (237) reported ever being screened for cervical cancer.
Factors associated with CCSS utilization at the bivariate level included marital
status, duration of practice, and a negative perception regarding access to cervical
cancer services. Perceived access barrier to CCSS was the only strong predictor for
CCSS utilization after controlling confounders [Adjusted Odd Ratio: 0.01, 95%CI:
0.01 – 0.03].
Conclusion: The perceived access barrier is a strong determinant of the CCSS
utilization rate among HCWs in our study site Efforts should be made to ensure
access and create awareness about service availability and accessibility among
HCWs in the Federal Capital Territory.
