Acceptability of cervical cancer screening via visual inspection with acetic acid or Lugol's iodine at Mulago Hospital, Uganda

Abstract Objective To assess acceptability of cervical cancer screening via visual inspection with acetic acid or Lugol's iodine (VIA/VILI) at Mulago Hospital, Uganda. Methods Exit interviews were conducted among women who had undergone opportunistic screening by VIA/VILI at 2 family planning clinics based within the hospital. Measures of acceptability were willingness to undergo the procedure in future if required and willingness to recommend the procedure to others. Focus group discussions were conducted to determine reasons for declining VIA/VILI. Results A total of 384 participants were recruited into the study. Of the 229 women who agreed to undergo screening by VIA/VILI, 209 (91.3%) were willing to recommend the service to other women, while 223 (97.4%) stated that they would undergo VIA/VILI again if the need arose. Education level showed a significant association with screening uptake ( P  = 0.007). In all, 155 women declined screening. Reasons for refusal included fears about privacy, fear of pain or discomfort, and worry about the test results. Conclusion Cervical cancer screening by VIA/VILI was rated highly acceptable among women who underwent the procedure. Women with a positive attitude toward screening could be trained as peer educators and community champions to improve uptake.