Factors influencing the uptake of cervical cancer screening services in Tanzania: A health system perspective from national and district levels

AIM: This study aimed at examining factors influencing uptake of cervical cancer screening services among women in Tanzania. DESIGN: Exploratory qualitative study. METHODS: In‐depth interviews were used to obtain information from 10 key Informants. Of these, three were officials (policy makers) from the Reproductive Health‐Cancer Unit of Ministry of Health and Community Development, Gender, Elderly and Children (MoHCDGEC), three were health managers working at Kinondoni Municipal health system reproductive and child health section and four were health workers from the Ocean Road Cancer Institute (ORCI). The study participants were purposively selected since they hold the responsibility of planning, coordinating and implementing the Tanzania cervical cancer prevention strategies at different levels of health system. The qualitative data analysis was done manually using thematic analysis. RESULTS: The national health system factors influencing the early uptake of cervical cancer screening services include poor flow of information from national to lower level and inadequate availability of tools and instruments and shortage of skilled and competent staff. The district level health systems factors influencing uptake of cervical cancer screening services include inadequate number of partners, poor flow of information, poor collaboration with the private sector, no adequate provision of cervical cancer screening services due to lack of prioritization, poor creation of awareness and failure to use the health information system effectively.