Comprehensive Knowledge and Uptake of Cervical Cancer Screening Is Low Among Women Living With HIV/AIDS: The Case of Northwestern Ethiopia

Abstract 1PurposeIn Ethiopia, cervical cancer is the second most common type of cancer in women, and is approximately 8 times more common in HIV-infected women; however, data on the knowledge of HIV-infected women of cervical cancer and the acceptability of screening is scarce in Ethiopia. The current study aimed to assess the level of knowledge of cervical cancer and the uptake of screening among HIV-infected women in Gondar in northwestern Ethiopia.MethodsA cross-sectional, questionnaire-based survey was conducted in 302 HIV-infected women who attended the outpatient clinic of the University of Gondar referral and teaching hospital from March 1, 2017, to March 30, 2017. Descriptive statistics and univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were also performed to examine factors that are associated with the uptake of cervical cancer screening service.ResultsOverall, only 64 respondents (21.2%) were knowledgeable about cervical cancer and screening, and only 71 respondents (23.5%) underwent...