Background: Cervical cancer is a global public health problem and the second most common cancer causing morbidity and mortality in Ethiopia. Few available evidences revealed that despite distribution and severity of cervical cancer among HIV-positive women and the ease with which it can be prevented, cervical cancer screening practice in Ethiopia among HIV positive women is considerably low. Therefore this study aims to assess predictors of cervical cancer screening practice among HIV positive women by applying health belief model concepts.

Methods: Facility based cross-sectional study was conducted at health facilities in Bishoftu. Data were collected from 475 women who visit the health facilities for anti-retroviral services using interviewer-administered questionnaires. Descriptive statistics were used to describe findings. Independent sample t-test was used to determine whether mean differences existed between perceptions of HIV-positive women who have ‘ever screened’ and ‘never screened’ for cervical cancer. Crude odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were considered to measure associations for each variable with the cervical cancer screening practice. Perception of study participants was measured using health belief mode constructs and treated as continuous variables. Multi-variable logistic regression was run to identify predictors of cervical cancer screening practice by controlling possible confounders.

Results: Cervical cancer screening practice among HIV-positive women in this study was 25%. Health proffesionals were the main source of information about cervical cancer and its screening. There was a difference between the ‘ever’ and ‘never’ screened groups in mean scores of their perceived severity, perceived benefit, perceived barrier,  perceived self-efficacy, perceived threat and net-benefit towards screening (P < 0.05). Perceived self-efficacy (AOR 1.24, 95%CI 1.13-1.37), perceived threat (AOR 1.08, 95%CI 1.05-1.12) and perceived net-benefit (AOR 1.18, 95% CI 1.12, 1.24) were the predictors of cervical cancer screening practice.

Conclusions: The findings of this study show a low screening level compared with the National Ministry of Health goal. Moreover, patients’ perceptions on cervical cancer screening practice had a significant influence on the utilization of cervical cancer screening service. Therefore, much work needs to be done by responsible bodies to overcome this problem.

Key-words: Cervical cancer, Screening, HV/AIDS, Health belief model.