Factors Associated With Underutilization of Cervical Cancer Screening Services among HIV Positive Women in Serenje District, Central Province

Cervical cancer is the most common cancer among women living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) (UNAIDS, 201959). An estimated 604,000 new cases were diagnosed globally, with 342,000 deaths recorded in 2020 (Sung et al., 202169). According to WHO (2020), approximately 6.5% of all female cancers are cervical cancer-related, with 5% of cases attributable to HIV. Zambia ranks second in cervical cancer incidence, with an estimated mortality of 1,839 (WHO, 202056). The current utilization of cervical cancer screening services (CCSS) in Zambia among HIV-positive women stands at 27%, indicating underutilization (UNAIDS, 201959). In Serenje District, only 25.8% of HIV-positive women access these services. This study determined factors associated with the underutilization of CCSS among HIV-positive women in Serenje District.