Opportunities and Challenges for the Utilization of Cervical Screening Among Women Living in Mekelle, Tigray Ethiopia, 2021

Abstract Introduction: cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among women in Ethiopia. Despite the recommendations by different national and international organizations for cervical cancer screening, service utilization remains low. Besides, the existing few studies are unable to explore the lived experiences of women on cervical cancer screening. Objective: To explore the opportunities and challenges for cervical cancer screening among women living in Mekelle, Tigray, Ethiopia, 2021 GC. Methodology: Phenomenological study design was employed and women who are married, had a history of childbirth, are native Tigrigna speakers, and had lived at least six months in the study area were interviewed. Data was collected using in-depth interview guide and a total of fifteen in-depth interviews were conducted. Audios were transcribed first and translated to English version then after, code book was developed. Then data was imported to ATLAS ti 7 software and using the software codes were categorized, themes and families were identified. Finally, data was analyzed using thematic analysis. Result: In this study a total of fifteen women were interviewed and their minimum and maximum age were 32&47 years respectively. Opportunities and challenges were explored from the participants’ perspective; they explained that health extension workers, access for information, and seeing screened and treated women were among opportunities for cervical cancer screening and in the counterpart carelessness, less awareness and embarrassment were the challenges mentioned by the respondents which were recognized as obstacles not to attend cervical cancer screening. They explained that again failure to attend cervical cancer screening may end up with infertility and death. Conclusion and recommendation: Health extension workers, access for information and seeing screened and treated women were opportunities to utilize cervical cancer screening whereas carelessness, less awareness and embarrassment were challenges that hinders screening for cervical cancer. As cervical cancer screening service is very important in protecting and promoting women’s life, the health system should give emphasis to scale up screening for cervical cancer in order to prevent morbidity and mortality due to cervical cancer by mobilizing both the community members and health professionals.