Factors associated with clinical breast examination and cervical cancer screening uptake in Ghanaian women, Evidence from the 2022 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey

TL;DR

The study finds that wealth, education, and health insurance are linked to higher breast and cervical cancer screening rates among Ghanaian women.

Contribution

This study identifies socioeconomic and educational factors influencing cancer screening uptake in Ghana using recent national survey data.

Findings

Women in wealthier quintiles were significantly more likely to undergo clinical breast examination.

Higher education levels were strongly associated with increased cancer screening uptake.

Health insurance was linked to an 85% higher likelihood of receiving clinical breast examination.

Abstract

Breast and cervical cancer screening uptake remains limited in Ghana despite the public health importance of cancer screening. This study examines factors that influence this behavior.

Secondary analyses of the 2022 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey (GDHS) were conducted. A total of 9,489 women between the ages of 25 to 49 years were evaluated for clinical breast examination (CBE) and cervical cancer screening (CCS) uptakes. Univariable and multivariable logistic regressions were fitted to examine factors that influence women utilization of CBE and CCS.

Women in the richer and richest quintiles of wealth index were 40% (AOR=1.40; 95%CI: 1.00 – 1.97) and 118% (AOR=2.18; 95%CI: 1.51 – 3.16) significantly more likely to attain CBE compared to women in the poorest quintile. Women with secondary and higher education were 2.02 times (AOR=2.02; 95%CI: 1.59 – 2.56) and 4.94 times (AOR=4.94; 95%CI: 3.61 – 6.76) as likely to attain CBE compared to women with no education. Women with health insurance were 85% (AOR=1.85; 95%CI: 1.37 – 2.52) more likely to attain CBE compared to women without health insurance. Similar results were found on the associations between wealth index, educational level and health insurance status and CCS uptake.

CBE and CCS uptakes were significantly higher in women with higher wealth index, higher education, and health insurance highlighting potential disparities in access to and utilization of preventive services in Ghanaian women. Tailoring policies to address the poverty burden will likely lead to an increase in breast and cervical cancer screening uptakes and potentially better health outcomes.

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