[Factors associated with access barriers to cervical cancer screening in Yaoundé]

Several studies report that only 10% of Cameroonian women at risk have ever been screened for this disease.

This study aims to analyze the factors explaining the difficulties in accessing screening for cervical cancer in Yaoundé, Cameroon.

This was an analytical cross-sectional study (participed/not participated), conducted from May 1 to August 10, 2020. The study population was made up of two groups (i.e. women without a history of screening; women who benefited from at least one screening session). Data collection was carried out at the gynecology-obstetrics department in two hospitals in Yaoundé (University hospital center and the obstetrics-gynecology and pediatric hospital). Variables were collected using a pre-tested and validated questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20 software. Simple and multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the influence of different variables on the risk of not participating in screening. A difference was considered significant if P < 5%.

Out of 300 women interviewed, 150 had never participated in screening (50%). In multivariate analysis, the factors associated with difficulties in accessing cervical cancer screening were, level of primary education (58,33% vs. 41,67%, [AOR: 5.12 (3.42-7.65)]), lack of employment (69,74% vs. 30,26%, [AOR: 5.44 (3.32-8.92)]), insufficient knowledge (78,64% vs. 21,36%; [AOR: 7.11(5.70-8.88)]) and unfavourable attitude (85,71% vs. 14,29%, [AOR: 5.58 (4.41-7.06)]).

There are many factors associated with not being screened. It is therefore necessary to develop strategies to improve access to cervical cancer screening services in Cameroon.