Knowledge and acceptability of cervical cancer screening among female undergraduates in Babcock University Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Cervical cancer (CC) is currently the fourth most common cancer among women. There are several factors which have, in recent times, posed a threat to the recognition and acceptance of CC screening in Nigeria. This study was undertaken to assess the predictors of knowledge of female undergraduates at Babcock University, Ogun State, Nigeria, on CC screening and the level of acceptance readiness. Method:This study was a descriptive cross-sectional survey of 345 female undergraduates at Babcock University, Ogun State, Nigeria, using a self-administered structured questionnaire. Data collected were analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23 software. Hypotheses were tested using Pearson productmoment correlation at p < 0.05 level of significance.Results: This study revealed that majority of the respondents have a substantial awareness and knowledge of CC screening (68.4%). The study suggested that health talk and level of exposure might be responsible for the good knowledge. While 47.5% were ready to undergo CC screening, 76.2% were ready to undergo the screening if a health professional performed the procedure, and 66.1% will tell their family members to go for screening. However, 49.9% reported not having the correct information on CC screening. A significant correlation was found between knowledge and acceptability of CC screening among the students (r = −0.366, p ˂ 0.05). Also, this study suggested that the age of female undergraduates is correlated with acceptance of CC screening (r = −0.221, p ˂ 0.05). Conclusion:As the acceptability of CC screening was high, CC screening facilities could be made available for the students. Similarly, educational interventions to improve awareness of CC screening among this population are warranted, as over one-third reported they did not have the correct information on CC screening.

Cervical cancer awareness, perception, and attitude among tertiary health institution students in northeastern Nigeria

“…had low or no formal education, different from our population that is homogenously beyond secondary education and in health-related disciplines. This could therefore explain the higher level of awareness recorded in this study and suggests that education could have a positive effect on awareness about cervical cancer, as shown by similar previous studies among students of tertiary institutions in Nigeria ( 15 – 18 ). Maitanmi et al.…”

Community Health Needs Assessment on Cervical Cancer Screening Uptake among Women of Reproductive Age in Ijero Local Government Area of Ekiti State

“…This is in contrast with the findings of Olubodun et al (2019) who reported low awareness about cervical cancer and HPV immunization. On the other hand, Owolabi and Adejumo (2021) found that 59.2% of the respondents had an adequate level of knowledge about cervical cancer screening which is also in line with the findings of Maitanmi et al (2023).…”

“…This can only be achieved when a thorough community health needs assessment has been done. However, researchers have shown that a number of factors have continued to influence the uptake: knowledge about the screening process, knowledge of cervical cancer, accessibility, poverty, lack of awareness, nature of the screening process, waiting period, spousal influence and poorly developed health care system (Maitanmi et al, 2023;Solomon et al, 2019;Oluwole et al, 2017). The factors influencing the uptake have been found to vary from one region to another based on several factors, hence the need to engage in community health needs assessment among women of reproductive age in Ijero LGA of Ekiti State.…”

Awareness and practice of breast self-examination among female staff at Babcock University, Nigeria

“…There is, however, a solid indication that practice increases as the level of knowledge increases; therefore, in addition to awareness programs, educational interventions that teach the step-by-step practice of BSE are necessary to increase the practice of BSE [ 14 , 23 ]. It is important to note that educational interventions have also improved cervical cancer screening [ 24 , 25 ]. These interventions can also consider addressing the lifestyle of women diagnosed with breast cancer [ 26 ].…”