Page 212 - GHES-3-1

Global Health Economics and
Sustainability
Cervical cancer screening in Maroua

Table 6. (Continued)
Variables Terms and conditions AOR (95% CI) p‑value
Age of first sexual intercourse Not yet 1.37 (0.47 – 4.55) 0.773
Before 15 years 12.7 (1.92 – 45.5) 0.004 **
Between 15 and 20 years 7.59 (4.33 – 31.9) 0.009 **
After 20 years 1
Abbreviations: OR: Odds ratio; CI: Confidence interval; P-value: Significance level; NA: Not applicable; * P<0.05; **p<0.01; ***p<0.001.

Knowledge of the frequency of screening significantly with an increased risk of contracting sexually transmitted
increased the chance of having had a screening test. infections, some of which are linked to cervical cancer
This result is in line with those obtained by Chan Chee development. This encourages these women to be more
et al. (2005) and Ago et al. (2022) in Nigeria and can be attentive to their gynecological health and undergo
explained by the fact that women are informed of the screening examinations more regularly.
recommendations concerning the frequency of screening.
This enables them to better understand the importance and 5. Study limitations
necessity of undergoing these examinations regularly. This This study has several limitations. First, it is based on a
knowledge makes them aware that screening should not cross-sectional methodology, which limits our ability
be a one-off act but a preventive approach to be repeated to establish cause-and-effect relationships between the
at regular intervals. Indeed, having this information studied variables. Second, data were collected from a
encourages women to be more proactive in planning and sample of women attending gynecological consultations
carrying out their screening tests. As a result, they are at the Maroua Regional Hospital, which may introduce a
more likely to follow up regularly with their doctor and not selection bias and limit the generalizability of the results
omit or postpone these important health tests. Therefore, to other populations. Third, data collection through self-
awareness of the recommended frequency is a key factor in administered questionnaires may lead to reporting bias
significantly increasing the participation rates in cervical or omissions. Finally, some important variables such as
cancer screening. socioeconomic status or geographical access to screening

Conversely, undergoing screening as a preventive services were not included in the analysis, which may limit
practice significantly increased the likelihood of the overall understanding of the factors associated with
undergoing cervical cancer screening. This may be due to cervical cancer screening in this population.
the perception of screening as a preventive measure, rather
than as a routine medical examination, giving it greater 6. Conclusion
importance and legitimacy among women. As a result, This study highlights several factors associated with cervical
they better understood the value of regular screening to cancer screening among women attending the regional
detect any abnormalities at an early stage and prevent hospital in Maroua, Cameroon. Age, perceptions of the age
cancer development. Moreover, this preventive vision of at which screening should start, frequency of screening,
screening encourages women to take a proactive approach use of screening as a preventive measure, and age at first
to their health. Consequently, they are more inclined to sexual intercourse are significant determinants of screening
take the initiative in planning and undergoing checkups uptake. These results highlight the importance of raising
regularly to monitor their state of health. awareness of the importance of early screening, improving
In addition, having had sexual intercourse for the accessibility to screening services, and strengthening
1 time before the age of 15 or between the ages of 15 and local cervical cancer awareness and screening programs.
st
20 significantly increased the chance of being screened for Targeted interventions on these factors can help reduce the
cervical cancer. This result is in line with that obtained by incidence and mortality of this disease in Cameroon.
Tesfaw et al. (2022) in Ethiopia and may be explained by Acknowledgments
the fact that health professionals often recommend starting
gynecological follow-up and screening as soon as sexual Our gratitude goes to the Université des Montagnes Ethics
activity begins. Therefore, women who had their first and Quality Assurance Committee (UdM-QAC), Far North
intercourse before the age of 20 are more likely to have Regional Public Health Delegate, and Director of Maroua
been referred and closely monitored for these screening Regional Hospital for the research authorizations issued.
tests. Similarly, earlier sexual initiation may be associated We would also like to thank all the research participants for

Volume 3 Issue 1 (2025) 204 https://doi.org/10.36922/ghes.4080