Determinants of Cervical Cancer Screening Among Rural Women in Zimbabwe.
Paddington T Mundagowa, Oscar Tapera, Bothwell Guzha and 3 others
PMID 39545399WHAT IT FOUND
Among rural Zimbabwean women, only 274 of 840 had ever been screened for cervical cancer.
Screening was less likely in women aged 25 to 45 years and those without medical insurance, and more likely in women living with HIV or with recent malaria.
Key findings
01Of 840 women analysed, 274 (32.6%) had ever been screened for cervical cancer.
02Women aged 45 years and younger were 67% less likely to have been screened, and women without medical insurance were 34% less likely to have been screened.
03Exposure to cervical cancer messages, recent antibiotic use, recent malaria, and living with HIV were associated with higher odds of screening.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
The study was cross-sectional, so it cannot show that any factor caused screening. Screening and knowledge were self-reported, which may introduce reporting bias. The survey was done in one rural district selected for low screening coverage and existing researcher relationships, so it may not represent other areas. Using ever been screened as the outcome, without accounting for recommended screening intervals, may overestimate the proportion of women screened.
Declared interests
The supplied text does not report a conflict-of-interest declaration. Funding acquisition is credited to an author.
The easy way to misread this
Do not read these factors as proof that giving women screening messages or treating malaria causes more cervical cancer screening. The study was cross-sectional and self-reported, so it shows associations at one time, not tested effects.