Knowledge of Cervical Cancer, Lifestyle Risks and Screening Practices among Women Attending Selected Health Care Facilities in Ekiti State, Nigeria

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge of cervical cancer, identify lifestyle risks, evaluate cervical cancer screening practices and identify the possible barriers to screening practices among women attending selected Health Care Facilities in Ekiti State.: A descriptive research design and quantitative approach was used. Stratified sampling techniques was used to recruit 177 women.  Data was analysed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. Chi-square square analysis was used to analyse the associations. The mean and standard deviation, frequencies and percentages of each variable used in the study were calculated. The findings of the study revealed about 65.7% have heard of cervical cancer, 55.4% had the belief that cervical cancer can be prevented and 45.1% of them indicating pap smear as a basic test for cervical cancer screening. Among the lifestyle risk factors, 38.9% of women used oral contraceptives and 46.3% have one sexual partner. Only 44.3% of women are willing to have another pap test done. From the findings, barriers to screening were absence of information (40.6%), lack of convenient screening time (37.1%) and worry associated with screening (32.0%). The study showed a high knowledge level among participants but without corresponding level of screening practices. From the study findings, it could be deduced that despite the high knowledge level of cervical cancer among the study participants, there was no corresponding high level of screening practices. Therefore, health care professionals need to play a crucial role in promoting health education and public awareness on issues relating to cervical cancer so as to intensify women responsiveness which will consequently boost their screening practices. Thus, reducing the burden of cervical cancer mortality.