The relational association between multiple sexual partners and HIV testing on cervical cancer screening among women of reproductive age in Ghana: A national population-based study

Abstract

Background Cervical cancer screening remains vital in the early detection of precancerous lesions and promotes better treatment outcomes. Though evidence suggested multiple sexual partners and HIV infection as risk factors for cervical cancer, limited studies have investigated how multiple sexual partners and HIV infection impact cervical cancer screening in Ghana. Therefore, this study assessed the association of multiple sexual partnership and HIV testing on cervical cancer screening among Ghanaian women of reproductive age. Methods The study utilized data from the 2022 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey. A weighted representative sample of 15,014 women from the 16 regions of Ghana was used for the analysis. Descriptive statistics, Pearson’s Chi-square and multivariable logistic regressions were used to analyze the data. Adjusted odds ratios (aORs) at 95% Confidence Intervals were presented from the multivariable logistic regression. Results The prevalence of cervical cancer screening was 5.0%. We found lower odds of cervical cancer screening with multiple sexual partners at the bivariate level [aOR=0.69, 95% CI: 0.52–0.90], but no association was found in the multivariable model. On the other hand, women who had ever tested for HIV [aOR=4.73, 95% CI:3.39–6.59] were more likely to screen for cervical cancer than those who had never tested. This was still significant after adjusting for covariates [aOR=2.47, 95% CI:1.61–3.80]. Conclusions The study highlights the influence of multiple sexual partners and HIV testing on cervical cancer screening uptake among women of reproductive age in Ghana. Though the study found no significant association between multiple sexual partners and cervical screening uptake, HIV testing was a predictor of cervical cancer screening among women in Ghana. We recommend continued creation of awareness of cervical cancer screening among women of reproductive age.