Knowledge of cervical cancer, risk factors, and barriers to screening among reproductive women in Nigeria
Ayeni A.R. Okesanya O.J. Olaleke N.O. Ologun C.O. Amisu O.B. Lucero-Prisno D.E., III Ogunwale V.O. Abubakar H.U. Emery M. Oso T.A.
Jun 2023Korean Society of Global Health
Journal of Global Health Science
2023#5Issue 1
Background: The leading cause of cancer-related fatalities among women worldwide is cervical cancer. Lack of awareness and availability of screening services in Nigeria contribute to the high incidence and fatality rates of cervical cancer. This study assesses the knowledge of cervical cancer, risk factors, and barriers to screening among reproductive women in Nigeria. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among women of reproductive age in Shao, Moro local government area of Kwara State, Nigeria, to determine their knowledge about cervical cancer, risk factors, and barriers to screening. The data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics and inferential statistics. Results: A total of 326 women between the ages of 15–50 were included in the study, with the majority being married (56.1%) and having secondary school education (43.6%). Two-hundred seventy-one (83.1%) participants were aware of cervical cancer, but only 39.0% had good knowledge of the disease. Two hundred forty-three (74.5%) women were sexually active and 70% did not use condoms during sexual activity. Only 6.9% of the participants had ever been screened for cervical cancer, with 38.0% being unaware of the screening. The results showed that there was a statistically significant (P<0.001) association between the knowledge of the respondents and selected risk factors for cervical cancer such as sexual activity, previous sexually transmitted infection diagnosis, contraceptive usage, and abnormal bleeding. Conclusion: This study indicates poor knowledge of cervical cancer and that targeted health education campaigns are required to increase awareness and knowledge about cervical cancer among reproductive women in Nigeria. Efforts should also be made to improve access to cervical cancer screening services, especially in rural and underserved areas.
Cervical cancer , Knowledge , Nigeria , Risk factors , Screening , Women
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Department of Public Health, Kwara State University, Ilorin, Nigeria
Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Neuropsychiatric Hospital Aro, Abeokuta, Nigeria
Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, Ile-Ife, Nigeria
Department of Medical Laboratory Science, University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Nigeria
Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Osun State University, Osogbo, Nigeria
Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
Department of Nursing, University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Ilorin, Nigeria
Department of Biomedical Science, Nazarbayev University School of Medicine, Astana, Kazakhstan
College of Medicine and Health Science, University of Rwanda, Butare, Rwanda
Department of Public Health
Department of Medical Laboratory Science
Department of Medical Laboratory Science
Department of Medical Laboratory Science
Department of Medical Laboratory Science
Department of Global Health and Development
Department of Nursing
Department of Biomedical Science
College of Medicine and Health Science
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