Exploring Recent Trends in Cervical Cancer Screening Uptake in Tanzania

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Oncology
• Sociomedical Sciences

Background:

• Cervical cancer screening (CCS) uptake is low in Tanzania (10-29%) despite awareness programs.
• Improving CCS is vital for Sustainable Development Goal 3, targeting non-communicable disease mortality.
• This study investigates recent changes in CCS awareness, knowledge, attitudes, and practices in urban Dar es Salaam.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore recent changes in cervical cancer screening (CCS) awareness, knowledge, attitudes, and practices among women in urban Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
• To identify barriers and facilitators influencing CCS uptake in the study population.

Main Methods:

• A qualitative descriptive study was conducted in Kawe ward, Dar es Salaam.
• Twenty-six women aged ≥21 years were purposively sampled for in-depth, face-to-face interviews.
• Data were analyzed using a five-step qualitative content analysis.

Main Results:

• All participants had heard of cervical cancer and CCS, but only 2 of 26 had ever been screened.
• High awareness contrasted with inadequate knowledge of causes, risk factors, symptoms, prevention, and screening guidelines.
• Key barriers included lack of symptoms, limited knowledge, poor health-seeking behavior, time constraints, perceived costs, and long waiting times.

Conclusions:

• Persistent knowledge gaps, not just awareness, are a major barrier to CCS uptake.
• Community awareness programs have not effectively translated into increased screening practices.
• Enhancing educational content, community outreach, reducing wait times, and improving service accessibility are essential for increasing CCS participation.