Knowledge and attitudinal factors influencing use of cervical cancer screening services among women in Ibadan, Nigeria: a cross-sectional study
Chizoma Millicent Ndikom, Temitayo Moyosore Adebisi, Oyeninhun Abimbola Oluwatosin, Wasiu Oluwaremilekun Yusuf, Yetunde Olufisayo John-Akinola, Kabiru Kunle Salami, Timothy Abiola Olusesan Oluwasola, Gbonjubola Oludayo Owolabi, Onoja Matthew Akpa, Adebola Alade Adedimeji, Margaret Barton-Burke, Annie YoungBackground/Aims
Despite efforts to prevent cervical cancer in low- and middle-income countries, there is limited uptake of screening services and an increasing number of new cases. The aim of this study was to evaluate knowledge and attitudinal factors influencing the use of cervical cancer screening services among postnatal mothers in selected primary healthcare facilities in Ibadan, Nigeria.
Methods
This cross-sectional study involved 200 purposively sampled postnatal women. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect data on their knowledge of cervical cancer, uptake of and desire to receive cervical cancer screening, potential barriers to accessing the service and factors associated with reduced desire for screening. Data were analysed using Chi-squared tests and binary logistic regression to establish factors associated with the desire to attend screening.
Results
Only 37.0% of participants had heard of cervical cancer and only 3.0% had ever received screening, although the majority indicated that they would like to receive screening in future (88.0%). Perceived invasion of privacy ( P =0.008), distance from a screening centre ( P =0.008) and a negative attitude impacted the desire to be screened ( P =0.013).
Conclusions
Women's knowledge of cervical cancer was poor and screening uptake was low, but most had a positive attitude to screening and wanted to attend in future. Some were concerned about the costs or felt that they did not fully understand what screening entails.
Implications for practice
Postnatal and immunisation clinics in primary healthcare centres should implement interventions to increase uptake of cervical cancer screening services.