Document Type : Research Articles
Authors
1
Laboratory of Biostatistics, Clinical Research, and Epidemiology (LBRCE), Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy of Rabat, MOHAMMED V University of Rabat, 10100 Morocco.
2
Laboratory of Community Medicine, Preventive Medicine, Public Health and Hygiene, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy of Agadir, Ibn Zohr University, Agadir 80060, Morocco.
3
Higher Institute of Nursing Professions and Technical Health, Guelmim, Morocco.
4
Laboratory of Health Sciences Research, Ibn Zohr University, 80000 Agadir, Morocco.
5
Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy of Agadir, Ibn Zohr University, 80000 Agadir, Morocco.
6
Laboratory of Social Medicine (Public Health, Hygiene, and Preventive Medicine), Morocco.
7
Laboratory of Community Health, Preventive Medicine and Hygiene, Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, University Mohammed V in Rabat, Morocco.
8
Epidemiology and Clinical Research, Department of Public Health, Morocco.
Abstract
Background: Human immunodeficiency virus- positive women have an increased risk of precancerous lesions and invasive cervical cancer. This study aims to identify the level of awareness/knowledge and attitudes toward cervical cancer among women living with Human immunodeficiency virus in the region of Souss-Massa in southern Morocco. Methods: This is a multicenter cross-sectional study conducted in the Souss-Massa region (southern Morocco) among women attending Human immunodeficiency virus treatment and care centers between March 2022 and September 2022. A questionnaire was used for data collection. The Chi-square test and logistic regression were deployed to identify factors associated with cervical cancer awareness among the target population. Results: A total of 494 respondents to the questionnaire, 440 (89.1%) are aware of cervical cancer. Nevertheless, 405 (82.0%) and 369 (74.7%) were unaware of cervical cancer risk factors and symptoms, respectively. Only 125 (25.3%) knew the exact frequency of cervical cancer screening among Human immunodeficiency virus positive women, whereas 221 (44.7%) had ever been tested for cervical cancer. Factors associated with women’s awareness of cervical cancer are as follows: level of education (adjusted Odds Ratio = 3.78 with 95% CI, 1.23-11.65), time since diagnosis of Human immunodeficiency virus (adjusted Odds Ratio = 4.31 with 95% CI, 1.12- 16.52), knowledge of women with cervical cancer (adjusted Odds Ratio = 6.30 with 95% CI, 1.87-21.18) and heard the pap- smear/visual inspection with acetic acid (adjusted Odds Ratio = 4.92 with 95% CI, 2.35-10.33). Conclusion: The general knowledge of seropositive women regarding cervical cancer remains very low, which justifies the integration of cervical cancer prevention services with Human immunodeficiency virus care, and pinpoints the crucial role of patient education.
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