Predictors of Cervical Cancer Screening Amongst Women Aged 25 - 49 in Botswana: A Pilot Study

Background: Cervical cancer is the fourth leading type of cancer in women worldwide (World Health Organization, 2015, Joshi et al, 2015). According to McFarland (2009) cervical cancer is the most common cancer leading to mortality and mobility among women in Botswana. Health Statistics Botswana (1995) noted that cervical cancer incidents continue to rise each year. It is even direr to have higher mortality and mobility among women in Botswana happening among a population that the HIV incidence and/or prevalence are humanly high. It is therefore crucial for developing countries like Botswana to take action just like the developed countries to determine the factors that predict screening for cervical cancer behaviors among Batswana women. These factors will be used to inform the design of the intervention that will lower the burden and associated morbidity and mortality of cervical cancer in Botswana. Aim: The major aim of this pilot study was to identify factors among Batswana women in going for screening for cervical cancer. The specific aims were to identify the norms and beliefs that influence cervical cancer screening among women in Botswana aged 25-49 years thus to identifying the attitudes, behavioral intentions, subjective norms, social norms, perceived power, and perceived behavioral control about cervical cancer screening among women aged 25-49 years in Botswana. Methods: In this research study, a qualitative research paradigm research approach was used to understand people's attitudes, behavioral intentions, subjective norms, social norms, perceived power, and perceived behavioral control. The study was guided by the theory of reasoned action (TRA) and its extension the theory of planned behavior (TPB) and the social cognitive theory to conduct this elicitation phase. The study was then informed by this elicitation phase to design and administer, as the quantitative phase, the survey instrument to determine the predictors for going for cervical cancer screening among women in Botswana aged 25-49 years. This instrument was administered to 115 women among the targeted population at Mochudi and Moshupa. Results: Results of this study will reveal the knowledge about cervical cancer, the behavioral beliefs, normative beliefs and control beliefs held by Batswana women that contribute to their actions to go or not to go for cervical cancer screening. Conclusion: The findings will be used to design the intervention that will target to promote the going of cervical cancer screening among women aged 25-49 years in Botswana.