Abstract
BACKGROUND: Jordan faces significant challenges in cervical cancer prevention due to low screening participation and limited coverage. This study examined the sociodemographic factors associated with cervical cancer screening uptake among ever-married Jordanian women aged 20-49 years using data from the 2023 Jordan Population and Family Health Survey (JPFHS). METHODS: We analyzed data from the 2023 JPFHS, which initially included 12,595 ever-married women. binary logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify sociodemographic predictors of cervical cancer screening uptake. RESULTS: A total of 12,405 ever-married women were included in the study. Among them, 2,038 (16.4%) reported having undergone cervical cancer screening through methods such as the Pap smear, human papillomavirus test, or visual inspection with acetic acid, while 10,367 (83.6%) had never been screened. Multivariable analysis revealed that older women, residents of Ajloun governorate, those with higher socioeconomic status, multiparous women, daily smokers, frequent internet users, and women with a history of HIV or sexually transmitted disease testing were more likely to undergo cervical cancer screening. Conversely, screening uptake was significantly lower among women residing in Irbid, Mafraq, Tafiela, and Aqaba governorates. CONCLUSION: To improve cervical cancer screening rates, policymakers should prioritize poor and underserved women, particularly younger women who have lower participation rates. Strengthening healthcare infrastructure, especially in the southern governorates, and integrating preventive health education into school curricula are crucial steps toward increasing awareness and early detection. Additionally, primary prevention programs should adopt a more inclusive approach, targeting all population groups including those with healthy lifestyles rather than focusing solely on women with high-risk behaviors.