Determinants of positive cervical cancer screening among reproductive‐age women in South Wollo Zone, Northeast Ethiopia

BACKGROUND: Cervical cancer is one of the reproductive organ cancers found in women which commonly arises from the cervix. It is the second most prevalent cancer among women in developing countries including Ethiopia. However, the association between positive cervical cancer screening and modifiable behavioral risk has not been well characterized in developing countries. OBJECTIVE: To identify determinants of positive cervical cancer screening among reproductive‐age women in the South Wollo Zone, Amhara region, northeast Ethiopia. METHOD: An unmatched case‐control study design was conducted from January 28 to April 12, 2020 in the South Wollo Zone. Four hundred ten clients participated in the study with 82 cases 328 controls. Study subjects were selected by systematic random sampling. Data entered using Epi data version 3.1 and analyzed using SPSS version 24. A bivariable and multivariable logistic regression model was done. The adjusted odds ratio with its 95% confidence interval (CI) was used to measure the strength and direction of the association and P‐value <.05 was declared as significant. RESULTS: A total of 410 study subjects have participated with a 100% response rate. The mean age of respondents was found to be 35.58 (±8.05) years. Study participants having a history of sexually transmitted infections (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 3.69, 95% CI [1.70‐8.01]), having poor knowledge about cervical cancer (AOR = 2.31, 95% CI [1.32‐4.02]) and two or more lifetime sexual partners of women and husbands (AOR = 2.80, 2.55, 95% CI [1.22‐6.44, 1.28‐5.06]) respectively were independent predictors of positive cervical cancer screening. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION: Risk factors that determine positive cervical cancer screening were identified. Comprehensive strategies that are focused on addressing sexual behavior and knowledge gaps should be designed. Efforts on improving and cultivating those significant factors should be done by stakeholders to prevent cervical cancer.