Cervical cancer screening among female undergraduates and staff in the Niger delta region of Nigeria

Abstract

A significant decrease in the incidence of cervical cancer and mortality is expected when all eligible women have access to regular Screening tests. Factors that can influence participation rate include: acceptability, accessibility, screening interval, promotion of screening among others. This study is aimed at the assessment of the risk factors for cervical cancer, the knowledge and level of utilization of cervical cancer screening among female staff and female undergraduates of Niger Delta University. A standard questionnaire was used for data collection. The questions were made to capture the objectives of the study. 182 (50.6%) were aware of cervical cancer screening, 22 (12.1%) of the respondents have had at least one pap test in the past, the commonest reasons for uptake of screening were; When it is free or subsidized 6 (27.3%), as part of a general screening program 6 (27.3%), Doctor's request 4 (18.2%) and self-conviction 4 (18.2%). Many 98 (41.4%) of the respondents, considered themselves healthy and did not see any reason to subject themselves to any form of cervical cancer screening. The reasons for uptake and non uptake of cervical cancer screening are statistically significant between the students and staff (x 2 = 18.175, p = 0.001; x 2 = 11.31, p = 0.046). The mean age for the initiation of penetrative sex among the respondents was 15.4 ± 2.7, 226 (71.1%) had more than one sexual partner and 184 (51.0%) had been treated for sexually transmitted infections in the past. The study shows that awareness of cervical cancer screening and Uptake was low amongst the respondents, this is despite the fact that a large proportion of the respondents had risk factors for cervical cancer.

Awareness and Attitudes towards Cervical Cancer Screening with Paps Smear and Its Utilization among Female Undergraduates in Makurdi, North Central Nigeria

“…The risk factors identified in this study were similar to previous studies [7] [21] [23], which are likely to expose the female undergraduate students to the risk of contracting Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) infection and possible progression to cervical cancer.…”

Awareness and Uptake of Cervical Cancer Screening Among Female Students in School of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Benin, Nigeria

“…The most common reason for not assessing Pap smear screening services was the perception that the subjects were not at risk of the disease. Also in the study [11] conducted on cervical cancer screening among female undergraduates and staff in the Niger delta region of Nigeria, findings revealed that out of all the respondents that were used for the study only 12% of the respondents has had at least one Pap test in the past. The commonest reasons for uptake of screening were; when it is free or subsidized 27.3% as part of a general screening program 27.3%, Doctor's request 18.2% and self-conviction 18.2%.…”

Women’s Views on Knowledge and Barriers to Cervical Cancer Screening among Women in Kaduna State, Nigeria

“…They also use reproductive health services for post-natal checkup and family planning or when faced with various gynaecological problems. A study by Ibrahim, Owoeye and Kalada (2013) at Niger Delta Nigeria revealed that, almost half of the respondents, considered themselves healthy and did not see any reason to subject themselves to any form of cervical cancer screening. Similarly, a study by Basu, Sarkar, Mukherjee, Ghoshal, Mittal and Biswas (2006) in India found that, the most common reasons cited for non-attendance to cervical cancer screening was reluctance to go for medical test in the absence of any symptoms and apprehension to have a test that detects cancer.…”

“…Majority said that, "this will reduce time wastage since we will have to go to the hospital once and receive two different services and also reduce cost". A study by Ibrahim, Owoeye and Kalada (2013) at Niger Delta Nigeria revealed that, the commonest reasons for uptake of screening was when it was free or subsidized or as part of a general screening program.…”

“…Study conducted among women visiting the General Out Patient department at Ibadan revealed low level of awareness of cervical cancer and prevention (Anorlu, 2008). Another study by Ibrahim et al (2013) on cervical cancer screening among 400 female undergraduate students and staff in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria indicated that 50.6% of respondents were aware of cervical cancer screening.…”