Factors Influencing Utilization of Cervical Cancer Screening Services Among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Clinic at Kisoro Hospital, Uganda

Background Cervical cancer represents a significant public health burden in Uganda, with persistently high incidence and mortality rates despite available screening services. Pregnant women attending antenatal care represent a critical population for integrated screening interventions, yet utilization rates remain suboptimal in rural settings. Methods We conducted a hospital-based cross-sectional study among 100 pregnant women attending antenatal clinic at Kisoro Hospital in September 2025. Using systematic random sampling, we administered structured questionnaires to collect data on socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge, attitudes, and health system factors. Binary logistic regression identified predictors of screening utilization. Results The prevalence of cervical cancer screening utilization was 15.0% (95% CI: 8.9–23.2%). The majority of participants were married (74.0%), had primary or secondary education (83.0%), and lived within 2 km of the facility (50.0%). Significant predictors of screening uptake included tertiary education level (aOR = 4.12; 95% CI: 1.08–15.78; p = 0.038), awareness of free screening services (p < 0.001), distance to facility < 2 km (aOR = 3.14; 95% CI: 1.12–8.79; p = 0.030), and shorter waiting times (aOR = 2.89; 95% CI: 1.04–8.03; p = 0.042). Notably, no woman unaware of free services had been screened. Conclusion Cervical cancer screening utilization among pregnant women at Kisoro Hospital remains critically low. Targeted interventions should focus on improving awareness through integrated antenatal education, reducing geographical barriers through outreach services, and addressing health system inefficiencies to enhance service accessibility and acceptability. Integration of cervical cancer screening into routine antenatal care represents a promising strategy to improve screening coverage in this vulnerable population.