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Mrema D, Ngocho JS, Mremi A, Amour M, Machange R, Shayo BC, Alloyce JP, Ndosi E, Shirima BT, Fande D, Shehoza R, Balandya E, Sunguya B, Mshana SE, Mteta AK, Lyamuya E, Bartlett J, Mmbaga BT. Cervical cancer in Northern Tanzania-What do women living with HIV know. Front Oncol 2023; 12:957325. [PMID: 36698389 PMCID: PMC9868899 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.957325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 12/09/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Cervical cancer (CC) is more prevalent in women living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection compared to the general population. The magnitude is high among all countries burdened with HIV-Tanzania is no exception. Despite the unprecedented risk, women living with HIV (WLHIV) may not be aware of the risk and might have unfounded beliefs thereof. This study aimed to determine the knowledge, awareness, and beliefs on CC screening among WLHIV attending a clinic at the Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre (KCMC) in Northern Tanzania. Methods This hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 327 WLHIV attending care and treatment clinic (CTC) at KCMC. A pre-tested questionnaire was used to collect quantitative data. Both descriptive and regression methods were used to determine CC knowledge, awareness, and beliefs as well as factors associated with knowledge of CC among WLHIV using SPSS version 23. Results Participants' mean age was 46 ± 10.4 years. Although just half (54.7%) of WLHIV had insufficient knowledge of CC, the majority of the participants (83.5%) were able to recognize at least three risk factors, but with limited understanding of symptoms and prevention. The majority held positive beliefs on CC and screening practices. Factors associated with good knowledge of CC included being married (AOR: 3.66, 95% CI: 1.84-7.28), having used ART for at least 2 years (AOR: 4.08, 95% CI: 1.36-12.21), and having previously screened for CC (AOR: 1.62, 95% CI: 1.01-2.59). Conclusion WLHIV attending care and treatment center had insufficient knowledge about CC screening. To further improve screening and treatment for CC, at both facility and community levels, targeted awareness and education campaigns are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dorah Mrema
- Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College, Moshi, Kilimanjaro, Tanzania
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre, Moshi, Tanzania
| | - James Samwel Ngocho
- Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College, Moshi, Kilimanjaro, Tanzania
- Kilimanjaro Clinical Research Institute, Moshi, Kilimanjaro, Tanzania
| | - Alex Mremi
- Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College, Moshi, Kilimanjaro, Tanzania
| | - Maryam Amour
- Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Rogathe Machange
- Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College, Moshi, Kilimanjaro, Tanzania
- Kilimanjaro Clinical Research Institute, Moshi, Kilimanjaro, Tanzania
| | - Benjamin C. Shayo
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre, Moshi, Tanzania
- Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Julius P. Alloyce
- Department of Oncology, Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre, Moshi, Kilimanjaro, Tanzania
| | - Evaline Ndosi
- Department of Oncology, Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre, Moshi, Kilimanjaro, Tanzania
| | - Beatus T. Shirima
- Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College, Moshi, Kilimanjaro, Tanzania
| | - Device Fande
- Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College, Moshi, Kilimanjaro, Tanzania
| | - Rahma Shehoza
- Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College, Moshi, Kilimanjaro, Tanzania
| | - Emmanuel Balandya
- Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Bruno Sunguya
- Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Stephen E. Mshana
- Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences, Bugando, Mwanza, Tanzania
| | - Alfred K. Mteta
- Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College, Moshi, Kilimanjaro, Tanzania
| | - Eligius Lyamuya
- Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania
| | - John Bartlett
- Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Blandina T. Mmbaga
- Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College, Moshi, Kilimanjaro, Tanzania
- Kilimanjaro Clinical Research Institute, Moshi, Kilimanjaro, Tanzania
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