Promoters of and barriers to cervical cancer screening in a rural setting in Tanzania

Objective: To investigate promoters and barriers for cervical cancer screening in rural Tanzania. Methods: We interviewed 300 women of reproductive age living in Kiwangwa village, Tanzania The odds of attending a free, 2-day screening service were compared with sociodemographic variables, lifestyle factors, and knowledge and attitudes surrounding cervical cancer using multivariable logistic regression. Results: Compared with women who did not attend the screening service (n = 195), women who attended (n = 105) were older (OR 4.29; 95% Cl, 1.61-11.48, age 40-49 years versus 20-29 years), listened regularly to the radio (OR 24.76; 95% CI, 11.49-53.33, listened to radio 1-3 times per week versus not at all), had a poorer quality of life (OR 4.91; CI, 1.96-12.32, lowest versus highest score), had faced cost barriers to obtaining health care in the preceding year (OR 2.24; 95% CI, 1.11-4.53, yes versus no), and held a more positive attitude toward cervical cancer screening (OR 4.64; 95% Cl, 1.39-15.55, least versus most averse). Conclusion: Efforts aimed at improving screening rates in rural Tanzania need to address both structural and individual-level barriers, including knowledge and awareness of cervical cancer prevention, cost barriers to care, and access to health information. (C) 2013 International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.