Knowledge of Cervical Cancer and Awareness of It’s Screening among Women of Childbearing Age in Ilishan-Remo Community, Ogun State

Abstract

With an expected 14,943 new cases and 10,403 fatalities from cervical cancer in 2020 alone, Nigeria faces a serious health crisis. Cervical cancer screening knowledge and awareness among Nigerian women are usually low, according to studies; this low level of awareness is caused by a number of factors, including cultural beliefs, religious practices, and limited access to healthcare services.This study therefore was designed to investigate the knowledge of cervical cancer and awareness of cervical cancer screening among women of childbearing age in Ilishan-Remo community, Ogun state, Nigeria.      

The study employed a descriptive cross-sectional study design, and convenience sampling technique was used to select 289 women of childbearing age in Ilishan-Remo Community. A pre-tested questionnaire adapted with reliability of score of 0.86. Level of knowledge of cervical cancer was assessed using a 20-point scale categorized into poor (<8), moderate (8-14), and good (>14). Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics of Pearson product moment correlation coefficient set at a significance level of 0.05.

According to the study, 41.9% of respondents had a strong understanding of cervical cancer, and 39% were aware that cervical cancer screening is on the low side. The study's findings showed that although there is good knowledge about cervical cancer, there is little awareness of its screening. There is a significant relationship between age of women and knowledge of cervical cancer among women of child bearing age in Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State. (r=0.676, p=0.00 <0.05). The study also showed that there is a significant relationship between level of education of women and awareness about cervical cancer among women of childbearing age in Ilishan-Remo (r=0.831, p=0.00 <0.05).

In conclusion, cervical cancer is a significant health issue, and awareness of its screening and prevention is crucial among women of childbearing age. There was generally fair knowledge of cervical cancer and its screening; and very poor awareness and screening practice. There is, therefore, an urgent need to improve women´s knowledge of cervical cancer and address the identified barriers in order to improve screening practices of the women. Efforts should be made to improve education and access to healthcare services, including screening and vaccination programs. Therefore, a targeted awareness and enlightenment of the public on cervical cancer screening is highly recommended to ensure early detection which guarantees good treatment outcomes.