Determining behavioral intention and its predictors towards cervical cancer screening among women in Gomma district, Jimma, Ethiopia: Application of the theory of planned behavior

Abstract

Background Cervical Cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths among Ethiopian women. Despite many interventions were conducted, there is low uptake of cervical cancer screening services. Also, limited evidence was available on the women’s intention and its predictors towards cervical cancer screening. Therefore, this study was aimed at determining the intention and predicators of behavioral intention toward cervical cancer screening. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in the Gomma district, Jimma, Ethiopia from August 1–30, 2019. The total sample sizes were 422 and a systematic random sampling technique was employed to select the samples. Data were collected through interviews using a structured questionnaire guide. Data were entered in epidata, and exported and analyzed using SPSS version 20.0 software. Descriptive, correlation, and multicollinearity analysis were done. Also, simple and multiple linear regression analysis were performed to identify the predictors for behavioral intention. The p-value<0.05 was used to declare a significant association. Result The response rate was 382 (90.5%). The mean age of the participants was of 26.45 (SD = 4.76). Direct attitude, subjective norm, and perceived behavioral control had a mean score of 16.78 (SD = 2.87), 15.61(SD = 1.92), and 12.86 (SD = 4.85), respectively. The intention has a mean score of 14.52 (SD = 4.01). From regression analysis, direct attitude (B = 0.346, p<0.001), direct subjective norm (B = 0.288, p = 0.008), direct perceived behavioral control (B = 0.132, p = 0.002) indirect attitude (B = 0.015, p = 0.019) and the indirect perceived behavioral control (B = 0.132, p = 0.002) were statistically significant with intention. Conclusion From this study, it was understood that women’s intention towards cervical cancer screening was low. The predictors were the direct and indirect attitude, direct and indirect subjective norm, direct and indirect perceived behavioral control. This calls a need to develop strategies and take action to improve the attitude of women and their influential peoples and increase sense of control to improve their intention to screen for cervical cancer. Moreover, health care providers should have to conduct social and behavioral change communication to improve women’s health seeking behavior towards cervical cancer screening applying the concept of theory of planned behavior.