Uptake of Cervical Cancer Screening Services and Associated Factors among HIV-Positive Women at Mzuzu Central Hospital, Malawi

Abstract

One of the major causes of death among women worldwide is cervical cancer (CC). The majority of the cases occur in underdeveloped nations, especially among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive women. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the uptake of CC screening and the factors that are related to it in these HIV-positive women at Mzuzu Central Hospital, Malawi. The study used a quantitative methodological approach. Secondary data for 397 women was extracted from hospital registers. It was then entered and analysed using STATA. Descriptive statistics, univariate analysis, multivariate analysis, and chi-square analysis were performed to test the association between the outcome variable and the independent variables. The results showed that a significant correlation between subsequent screenings and positive outcomes was found by multivariate analysis using ordered logistic regression (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 5.546; 95% confidence interval (CI) [4.718696, 6.373458]). A significant correlation between the number of screenings performed and marital status was found using chi-square analysis. Compared to married and widowed women, the proportion of divorced and single women who underwent multiple screenings was lower. In conclusion, the study found that among HIV-positive women in Mzuzu, Malawi, a complex interaction of demographic factors influenced the results of CC screening. Age and marital status showed varied effects, even though further screenings were positively associated with favourable outcomes.