Examining Prevalence and Influential Factors of Cervical Cancer Screening Among Women of Reproductive Age at Fort Portal Regional Referral Hospital in Fort Portal City

Globally, cervical cancer stands as a pressing health issue for women, ranking as the second most common cancer type among females worldwide. A study conducted at Fort Portal Regional Referral Hospital in Fort Portal City aimed to assess the prevalence and factors impacting the participation of women of reproductive age in cervical cancer screening tests. Employing a cross-sectional descriptive design with quantitative methods, the study utilized a consecutive sampling technique, surveying 96 respondents through self-administered questionnaires. Data analysis involved coding and entry via SPSS 20.1, with findings presented through tables, graphs, and pie charts. Results indicated that only a quarter of respondents (25%) had undergone cervical cancer screening, predominantly opting for Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid (VIA) (58.3%). Notably, a significant proportion of screened individuals (66.7%) hailed from rural areas, and the majority (66.7%) had a parity of 3 or fewer children. Moreover, 58.3% of those screened reported earning more than 400,000 shs per month. Unexpectedly, reluctance accounted for 44.8% of respondents' reasons for not undergoing screening. In summary, despite free accessibility to the service, there's a notably low prevalence of cervical cancer screening. Reluctance and fear associated with the procedure emerged as significant barriers hindering the uptake of cervical cancer screening among the surveyed population. Keywords: Cervical cancer, Reproductive age, Mothers, Women, Human papillomavirus.