BackgroundAbout two thirds of patients with cervical cancer in Tanzania present with advanced tumor stage, leading to significant morbidity and mortality. We designed a study to determine the factors associated with the late tumour stage at presentation among patients with cervical cancer in Mwanza.MethodsThis cross-sectional study recruited women at Bugando Medical Centre (BMC) with histologically confirmed cervical cancer from November 2013 to April 2014. Patients were recruited serially until the sample size was reached.ResultsA total of 202 women with histologically confirmed cervical cancer were recruited. The mean age of the patients was 50.5 ± 13.3 years. The majority of patients (n = 129, 63.9 %) were diagnosed with late stage disease (IIB-IVB). Patients also presented with severe anemia (n = 78, 38.6 %), urinary tract infections (n = 74, 36.6 %), hydronephrosis (n = 43, 21.2 %), elevated serum creatinine levels (n = 33, 16.3 %), vesicovaginal fistula (VVF), (n = 13, 6.4 %), lung metastasis (n = 5, 2.4 %), metastasis to the urinary bladder (n = 4, 1.9 %), rectovaginal fistula (RVF) (n = 3, 1.4 %), liver metastasis (n = 2, 0.9 %) and hydroureter (n = 2, 0.9 %). In multivariate logistic regression, factors associated with late stage at presentation were attending to alternative health practitioners and lack of personal initiative to seek care to formal health facilities (OR 2.3; 95 % CI 1.2–4.2, p = 0.011 and OR 2.0; 95 % CI 1.0–3.8, p = 0.028) respectively.ConclusionCommunities should be sensitized to women’s empowerment, provide community education on early symptoms of cervical cancer, and the importance of early hospital attendance.

In Tanzania, HIV infection remains much higher among female sex workers (FSWs) than among other adult women. In addition to HIV, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and pregnancy prevention are major concerns for FSWs in Tanzania. This study used a programmatic surveillance approach to examine protection against STIs/HIV and unintended pregnancy (dual method use) among FSWs in an outreach-based HIV prevention, care, and treatment program in Tanzania. 119,728 FSWs made a first visit to services served by the Sauti Project from January 2016 to September 2017. Of these 79,774 were current contraceptive users-of those, 4548 (5.7%) took a contraceptive as well as condoms, the study measure of dual family planning (FP) method use. Ninety-one percent (n = 4139) of FSWs taking dual FP methods were provided with an injectable in addition to condoms. Dual method use was lower in this study than in research studies in the region, highlighting potential differences between findings from research studies and evidence from a routine service provision setting. Self-reported consistent condom use among FSWs was 16.1%. The findings call for further research and programs to address FSW agency to increase dual protection against STIs/HIV and unintended pregnancy.