Barriers to Cervical Cancer Screening and Utilization of Services among Adult Women at Dar-es-salaam Region, Tanzania

Manju Thomas; Ms Aichanasia Julius Kawich

doi:10.36948/ijfmr.2026.v08i04.84376

Barriers to Cervical Cancer Screening and Utilization of Services among Adult Women at Dar-es-salaam Region, Tanzania

Author(s)	Dr. Manju Thomas, Ms Aichanasia Julius Kawich
Country	India
Abstract	Cervical cancer remains a major public health concern in Tanzania, despite the availability of effective screening methods. This study explored perceived barriers to cervical cancer screening among women in the Boko community and compared the findings with global, African, and national evidence. Objective: To assess the barriers to cervical cancer screening and utilization of services among adult women at Boko District. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study design was employed, using both quantitative and qualitative approaches. A total of 150 adult women were selected through stratified random sampling. Data was collected using structured questionnaires to assess awareness, attitudes, and barriers to cervical cancer screening. Descriptive statistics was used to summarize awareness levels and screening practices. Results: The results indicate that fear-related barriers, including perceived pain and discomfort (24.67%) and fear of a positive result (30.67%), were present but not dominant. A substantial proportion of participants expressed neutral perceptions regarding test accuracy (56.67%), affordability (66%), and privacy (64%), suggesting limited firsthand experience with screening services. Cultural barriers related to provider gender were minimal, with none of the participants reporting cultural restrictions against examination by male healthcare providers, and overall trust in the healthcare system was high (59.33%). Knowledge of the life-saving benefits of screening was strong, with (86.67%) of women acknowledging its importance; however, this positive attitude did not align with Tanzania’s low national screening uptake. Conclusion: The findings suggest that while awareness and trust are relatively high, practical, informational, and psychological barriers continue to hinder screening utilization. Strengthening targeted health education, improving service accessibility, enhancing provider led communication, and addressing fears related to diagnosis and procedure are essential to increasing cervical cancer screening uptake in this population.
Keywords	BARRIERS, CERVICAL CANCER SCREENING
Field	Biology > Medical / Physiology
Published In	Volume 8, Issue 4, July-August 2026
Published On	2026-07-24
DOI	https://doi.org/10.36948/ijfmr.2026.v08i04.84376

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Barriers to Cervical Cancer Screening and Utilization of Services among Adult Women at Dar-es-salaam Region, Tanzania

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