Assessment of Physicians’ Knowledge and Practices Regarding Cervical Cancer Screening in University and Non-University Hospitals in Northeastern Democratic Republic of the Congo

Background/Objectives: In the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), cervical cancer (CC) is the most common gynecological cancer. This study assesses physicians’ knowledge and self-reported clinical practices regarding CC screening in both university and non-university hospitals across four provinces in northeastern DRC. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted from 15 April 2025 to 15 June 2025, in Kisangani, Buta, Isiro, and Bunia, the respective capitals of the provinces of Tshopo, Bas-Uele, Haut-Uele, and Ituri in the DRC. We collected data using a self-administered questionnaire completed by 26 physicians from university hospitals and 106 physicians from non-university hospitals. Data analysis was performed using R software, version 4.6.0. Results: Of the 175 eligible physicians, 132 (75.4%) were surveyed. Respondents demonstrated similar knowledge regarding most screening modalities regardless of hospital type. However, physicians at university hospitals had significantly better knowledge of the target age range (p-value = 0.001) and diagnostic confirmation test (p-value = 0.03). Overall, 34 respondents (25.8%) had sufficient knowledge, with higher proportions among those at university hospitals and those residing in Bunia, Ituri Province (p-value = 0.001 and p-value = 0.02, respectively). Regarding self-reported practices, 57.7% of physicians in university hospitals and 49.0% of those in non-university hospitals reported screening 1–24 women in the previous 12 months, with naked-eye VILI use reported more frequently (57.7% vs. 32.1%, p-value = 0.03). Only six participants (4.5%) reported a high level of screening- and management-related activities, including some obstetrician–gynecologists (p-value = 0.02). Conclusions: Our findings revealed knowledge gaps and suboptimal self-reported CC screening practices among physicians in northeastern DRC, underscoring the need for strengthened training and professional support. Greater involvement of obstetrician–gynecologists, mentorship from university hospitals, and collaboration across provinces may help improve CC screening.