Factors Related to Cervical Cancer Screening Among Women in Bandar Abbas, Iran: A Cross-sectional Study

The high mortality due to cervical cancer in developing countries is mainly due to ineffective screening programs, limited access to screening programs, and low levels of follow-up treatment after abnormal results. The present study aims to identify the factors related to cervical cancer screening in Bandar Abbas, Iran.

This cross-sectional study was conducted during 2021-2022 on 810 women aged 15-49 years who were selected using a two-stage cluster sampling method. The participants completed a valid and reliable researcher-made questionnaire face-to-face, which surveyed demographic characteristics, knowledge and attitude. The data were analyzed in SPSS software, version 20 and using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses.

Mean age of the participants was 30.97±5.80 years. The likelihood of cervical cancer screening in women with 1-2 children compared to women without children was 25 times higher; in women with 3-5 children compared to women without children, it was 7.7 times higher; in women with moderate financial status compared to those with poor financial status, it was 9 times higher; and in women with good financial status compared to those with poor financial status, it was 23 times higher. Furthermore, with one unit increase in knowledge score, the likelihood of cervical cancer screening was 1.4 times higher, and with one unit increase in the attitude score, the screening was increased by 1.08.

to increase the rate of cervical cancer screening in bandar Abbas, some personal and social factors should be taken into account. It is recommended to use appropriate and cost-effective educational methods to promote the knowledge and attitude of women in Bandar Abbas regarding cervical cancer and its prevention methods.