Knowledge, Uptake and Barriers to Pap Smear Test among Female Workers in the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Early screening for cervical cancer is a key intervention in reduction of maternal deaths. Health care workers have a significant role to improve cervical cancer screening practice among women. Their attitude and practice to such an issue might positively or negatively influence people they come into contact with. Objective: To determine the knowledge, uptake and barriers to Pap smear test among female workers in the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital. Methodology: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted between September and November 2015. A structured and pre-tested questionnaire was used to collect data from 265 female hospital workers on socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge of Pap smear, attitude towards, as well as utilization of Pap smear test. The data obtained were analyzed using SPSS version 20.0. Results: Of the 265 respondents, 237 (89.4%) were aware of Pap smear while 28 (10.6%) had no knowledge; of those that had knowledge only 40 (16.9%) had Pap smear test done at least once Awoyesuku et al.; JAMMR, 30(4): 1-9, 2019; Article no.JAMMR.50502 2 previously. There is significant difference in the knowledge of Pap smear among the professionals and those with tertiary education. Common sources of information about Pap smear were Books (58.2%) and Medical Workers (50.6%). Most common reason for not wanting to be screened was No interest (43.6%). Conclusion: Although the knowledge of Pap smear is high, the uptake is low among hospital workers. To improve utilization, public health education on the need for health workers to take up screening is crucial as it will impact positively on the general populace. Original Research Article

Factors influencing cervical cancer screening practice among female health workers in Nigeria: A systematic review

“…The 15 studies included in this systematic review sampled a total of 3392 FHWs; study sample sizes ranged from 40 to 503 56,52 . In determining study sample sizes, only 10 studies documented the justification for selecting a particular sample size 46,48,49,50,52,53,54,55,57,58 . Majority of the studies ( n = 8) included different cadres of FHWs, 45,46,48,53,54,56,57,58 two studies involved only medical doctors, 49,55 and five focused solely on nurses 47,50,51,52,59 .…”

“…While knowledge of CCS focused on assessment of specific information about the benefits of CCS among FHWs. Five studies reported only awareness of CCS, 47,48,49,54,55 seven studies reported both awareness and knowledge of CCS, 50,51,52,53,57,58,59 and three studies reported only knowledge 45,46,56 . Eight studies reported knowledge outcomes as proportions ( n = 8) while two studies 45,56 measured knowledge using a Likert scale.…”

“…Furthermore, reference list search identified an additional two papers bringing the total number of included studies to 15. 45 , 46 , 47 , 48 , 49 , 50 , 51 , 52 , 53 , 54 , 55 , 56 , 57 , 58 , 59 Reasons for exclusion of papers were: different study location ( n = 7), different study population ( n = 5), multiple publication ( n = 2), focus on other interventions ( n = 7), full text unavailable ( n = 3), and review ( n = 1).…”

“…Media, medical literature, health professionals, and school represented the major sources of cervical screening information for FHWs. Medical literature and school as an information source suggest the provision of fundamental cervical cancer education during the medical training of FHWs 46,58 . Similarly, FHWs reporting health professionals or colleagues as a source of information demonstrates that workplace interactions with fellow professionals contribute to the acquisition of cervical cancer knowledge 51 .…”

Prevalence and Predictors of Cervical Cytological (Pap Smear) Abnormalities Among HIV-infected Women at the HIV Treatment Center of Jos University Teaching Hospital Jos, Nigeria.

“…[2][3][4][5][6] In Nigeria as in other sub-Saharan African countries there is no organized screening program, and the few services available are only opportunistic with little or no impact. [7][8][9][10][11][12] Development of cervical cancer screening policy and institution of organized screening program targeted at covering ≥ 80% of population at risk is fundamental. [13][14][15] Though HIV care and treatment in countries worst hit by HIV epidemic has resulted in prolongation of life expectancy, cervical cancer in women living with HIV has not received the attention and resources that is needed to address its prevention and treatment.…”