International journal of women's health · 2026
Cervical Cancer Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Among Informal Sector Women: Prevention Challenges in Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.
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Kazindu Thérèse Musimwa, Lurhangire Emmanuel, Mulume Armand Bisimwa, Hermans Michel P, Mwene-Batu Pacifique
Аннотация
BACKGROUND: Cervical cancer remains the most prevalent malignancy among women in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and poses a major public health challenge. Despite availability of effective preventive measures, data on knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAPs) of women, particularly those in the informal sector, remain limited in the Eastern region of the DRC. This study aimed to assess KAPs regarding cervical cancer prevention and to identify factors associated with adequate knowledge among women working in the informal sector in Bukavu.
METHODOLOGY: A cross-sectional study was conducted from December 1st to December 20th, 2025, involving 425 women aged 18 and older working in the informal sector in Bukavu, South Kivu, eastern DRC. Data were collected using a standardized, workplace-administered questionnaire. KAPs were evaluated using scoring systems and categorized as either "good" or "poor" based on predefined thresholds. Factors associated with adequate knowledge were identified via multivariate regression.
RESULTS: Out of 425 participants with a median age of 31 years, 56.0% reported having heard of cervical cancer (general awareness), while only 6.67% had ever undergone a screening test. Adequate multi-factorial knowledge regarding the disease was observed among 23.12% of participants. While 77.18% exhibited a positive attitude toward cervical cancer prevention, 93.07% demonstrated poor overall preventive practices. In the adjusted model, access to healthcare was strongly associated with adequate knowledge of prevention measures (Adjusted OR = 3.12, p = 0.024). Additionally, exhibiting good overall preventive practices co-varied positively with participants' knowledge (Adjusted OR = 4.05, p <0.001).
CONCLUSION: This study highlights a critical gap in multifactorial knowledge and poor preventive practices regarding cervical cancer among women in Bukavu's informal sector. The findings suggest that enhancing access to healthcare and promoting healthy preventive behaviors may strongly be linked to improve awareness. Targeted public health awareness campaigns represent a vital structural step toward reducing the incidence of this disease in the region.
METHODOLOGY: A cross-sectional study was conducted from December 1st to December 20th, 2025, involving 425 women aged 18 and older working in the informal sector in Bukavu, South Kivu, eastern DRC. Data were collected using a standardized, workplace-administered questionnaire. KAPs were evaluated using scoring systems and categorized as either "good" or "poor" based on predefined thresholds. Factors associated with adequate knowledge were identified via multivariate regression.
RESULTS: Out of 425 participants with a median age of 31 years, 56.0% reported having heard of cervical cancer (general awareness), while only 6.67% had ever undergone a screening test. Adequate multi-factorial knowledge regarding the disease was observed among 23.12% of participants. While 77.18% exhibited a positive attitude toward cervical cancer prevention, 93.07% demonstrated poor overall preventive practices. In the adjusted model, access to healthcare was strongly associated with adequate knowledge of prevention measures (Adjusted OR = 3.12, p = 0.024). Additionally, exhibiting good overall preventive practices co-varied positively with participants' knowledge (Adjusted OR = 4.05, p <0.001).
CONCLUSION: This study highlights a critical gap in multifactorial knowledge and poor preventive practices regarding cervical cancer among women in Bukavu's informal sector. The findings suggest that enhancing access to healthcare and promoting healthy preventive behaviors may strongly be linked to improve awareness. Targeted public health awareness campaigns represent a vital structural step toward reducing the incidence of this disease in the region.