CERVICAL CANCER STATUS, KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS AMONG REPRODUCTIVE AGE WOMEN RESIDING IN HARGEISA, SOMALILAND

Introduction: Cervical cancer results from a Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) infection. Seventy (70%) cervical cancers and pre-cancerous cervical lesions are attributed to HPV types 16 and 18. In low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), there is poor awareness and limited access to preventative measures, and cervical cancer is often diagnosed at a late stage when women develop metastatic symptoms. In addition, access to treatment for cancerous lesions is also limited, resulting in a higher rate of death from cervical cancer. In Somaliland, there is very limited information concerning cervical cancer awareness and associated factors in the community. Objective: To determine the overall status of knowledge, attitude, and associated factors of cervical cancer among reproductive-aged women residing in Hargeisa, Somaliland. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey among reproductive-age women residing in Hargeisa, Somaliland. A structured questionnaire was developed, and we interviewed 270 women. Moreover, a record review of two hospitals in Hargeisa that were involved in cervical cancer screening was conducted. Data were entered into SPSS version 23, and descriptive and advanced statistical analysis were run. Proportions, mean scores, and standard deviations were calculated, and chi-square statistics were run to determine associations. A P-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results were presented in text and tables. Results: The mean age of the study participants was 29 (SD 7.6). We found that less than half of the participants, 118 (43.7%), had good knowledge about the risk factors and symptoms of cervical cancer. Moreover, 125 (46.3%) of the study participants have a positive attitude towards the risk factors and symptoms of cervical cancer. All the study participants have heard about cervical cancer. Their age, monthly income, and educational status were found to have a statistically significant association with the knowledge of the respondents, with p-values of 0.004, 0.023, and 0.001, respectively. Moreover, the age of the respondents, educational status, marital status, and status of children were found to have a statistically significant association with the attitude of the participants, with a p-value of 0.002, 0.001, 0.003, and 0.001, respectively. Conclusion: The overall knowledge and attitude toward cervical cancer screening are low. Age, monthly income, educational status, and marital status are the factors associated with knowledge and attitude towards cervical cancer. There is a need to promote, educate, and encourage women to undergo early cervical cancer screening by informing them of their susceptibility to cervical cancer. In addition to health education, availing of free screening services and free vaccines will improve cervical cancer prevention. Keywords : Cervical cancer; Knowledge; Attitude; Hargeisa; Somaliland