Awareness and uptake of cervical cancer screening in Owerri, South-Eastern Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Cancer of the cervix is the most common cancer of the female genital tract and accounts for about two hundred and fifty thousand deaths yearly most of which occur in the developing countries. It has assumed greater prominence with the decrease in deaths due to infective causes and the increase in the incidence of HIV/AIDS which is a predisposing factor. A significant drop in its incidence has been recorded in the developed countries as a result of intensive program of cervical screening. This study determines the level of awareness and uptake of cervical screening in Owerri, South Eastern part of Nigeria. Method: This is a cross sectional study in which self administered questionnaires returned by eight hundred and forty six respondents were analysed using simple percentages. Results: The level of awareness of cervical screening was 52.8 %( 447), while 7.1 %( 60) had ever done the test. The major sources of information about cervical smear were hospital /health facilities (31.3%) and friends (30.9%).The most common reasons given for not doing the test were lack of awareness 390(46.1%),no need for it 106( 12.5%) and fear of a bad result 98(11.6%). Conclusion:The level of awareness of cervical screening is low and worse still, is the level of uptake at the present level of uptake no significant impact will be made on the incidence of cervical cancer which needs to be reduced. A national cervical smear screening policy is advocated but in the interim, greater public education and the greater use of opportunistic screening by physicians should be vigorously pursued.Key words: Cancer, cervical screening, awareness, uptake Résumé Introduction: Le cancer du cou est le cancer le plus ordinaire de la voie génitale du sexe féminin et il constitue environs deux cents cinquante mille des morts annuelle dont la plupart arrivent dans les pays en voie de développement. Présumé une plus grande éminence avec un ralentissement des morts attribuables aux causes infectives et à un accroissement dans la fréquence de VIH/SIDA qui est un facteur possible. Une baisse remarquable dans sa fréquence a été notée dans les pays développé à la suite du programme intensif du test de dépistage cervical. Cette étude décide le niveau de la conscience et l'esprit vif d'un test de dépistage à Owerri Sud Est du Nigéria. Méthode: Il s'agit d'une étude d'un groupe répresentatif dont des questionnaires soi-fait et returné par huit cents et quarante six sondés ont été analysés à travers l'utilisation du pourcentage simple. Résultats: Le niveau de la conscience d'un test de dépistage cervical était 52,8% (447), tandis que 7,1% (60) avaient déjà fait le test. La source principale pour avoir des informations à propos du couler cervical étaient hôpital et aménagement sanitaire (31,3%) et amis (30,9%). Des raisons le plus ordinaires données pour ne pas faire du test étaient manque de la conscience 390 (46,1%) pas d'importance 106 (12,5%) et la peur d'un mauvais résultat 98(11,6%). Conclusion: Le niveau de la conscience du test de dépistag...

Cervical Cancer: Knowledge, Screening Practices and Vaccines among Female Medical Students in the Commonwealth of Dominica

“…This could also be attributable to the course of study in the university environment. This is at variance with earlier work in which the source of information for cervical cancer screening students was mostly from health professionals [8][9][10].…”

Nurse’s knowledge and attitude regarding cervical cancer screening at a tertiary care hospital

“…9 The present study showed that 79% respondents have average knowledge. A study conducted by Awodele O in 2011, had shown that 99% of nurses had good knowledge of cervical cancer which is consistent with the earlier study from South Eastern Nigeria.…”

Awareness and knowledge level of cervical cancer among women of reproductive age in Bolgatanga municipality

“…The WHO predicts that by the year 2025, 5,000 new cases of cervical cancer and 3,361 cervical cancer deaths will occur annually in Ghana (WHO, 2007). Several studies have shown low levels of knowledge in cervical cancer across different literacy levels in Africa (Ezem, 2007) and awareness of this disease on the continent is very poor yet mortality remains relatively high. Knowledge of cancer patterns in Africa is woefully inadequate, and population-based epidemiological data on the occurrence of cancer in Sub-Saharan Africa especially, are sparse (Okonofua, 2007).…”