Knowledge and attitudes towards cervical cancer prevention among women in Khartoum state, Sudan

Abstract

Background: Cervical cancer is considered the third leading cause of death among women worldwide, and human papillomavirus was identified as a major causative agent for developing cervical cancer. Objectives: This study aimed to assess the knowledge and attitudes towards cervical cancer prevention among women in Khartoum state, Sudan. Design: A community-based cross-sectional study implemented in Khartoum state, Sudan, from 1 August 2020 to 1 September 2020. Methods: We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional community-based study using an electronic questionnaire for data collection. Descriptive statistics, frequency, mean, and percentage were computed. Results: The study included 716 female participants with a mean age of 27.6 + 8.7 years. 580 (81.0%) and 229 (32.0%) had heard about cervical cancer and Pap test, respectively. cervical cancer was assumed related to alcohol consumption 109 (15.2%), giving birth to many children 51 (7.1%), ageing 118 (16.5%), and having many sexual partners 335 (46.8%). In addition, 300 (41.9%) attributed cervical cancer to having human papillomavirus infection, 256 (35.6%) to the prolonged use of contraceptives, and 162 (22.6%) to smoking. Knowledge about the best time to be vaccinated against human papillomavirus, 110 (15.4%) stated it is better after marriage. Regression models to predict the effectors on participants’ knowledge and attitudes showed a low standard deviation of the estimates with higher values of the adjusted R2 [R: 0.041, 0.017, and 0.006; std: 1.527, 0.417, and 0.426]. This indicates the combined influence of occupation, educational level, family income, and marital status on the participant’s knowledge and attitude levels. Conclusion: This study revealed that the participant’s knowledge and attitudes levels are mainly driven by their occupation, educational level, family income, and marital status altogether. This underscores the need for a countrywide community engagement campaign through health education and raising awareness sessions, and massive social media to sensitize the community and healthcare providers about the risk of cervical cancer and the available prevention and control measures.

Knowledge of Cervical Cancer and Screening Practices among Women in Bindura District, Mashonaland Central Province, Zimbabwe

“…The majority of the respondents (88%) were married, (96%) had formal education, (57%) were unemployed, (57%) had no income and a large number (83%) were Christians. These demographic characteristics have a bearing on one's knowledge and screening practices on cervical cancer as reported by Rimande-Joel et al, ( 2019) & Siddig et al, (2023). Participants' age, educational status, marital status, monthly income, religion, and knowledge were associated factors for cervical cancer screening practice; the main reason they did not get screened was that they felt healthy.…”

“…Furthermore, only 13.22% had undergone Cervical Cancer screening. Studies by Rimande-Joel et al, ( 2019) & Siddig et al, (2023) in Nigeria and Sudan respectively revealed that the participant's knowledge and attitudes levels are mainly driven by their occupation, age educational level, family income, religion, and marital status altogether. However, knowledge about cervical cancer did not translate to right belief and good practice.…”