Knowledge of cervical cancer, papanicolaou smear and its utilization among female undergraduates in a Media College in Jos, Plateau State

Abstract

Background: Cervical cancer is a largely preventable disease. In western countries, the incidence of and mortality associated with cervical cancer has reduced substantially following the introduction of effective cervical screening programmes. This is in contrast to what is obtained in Africa including Nigeria where cervical screening is rudimentary or non- existent.

Aim: This study seeks to assess the knowledge of cervical cancer, papanicolaou smear and its utilization among undergraduate students in Nigeria Television Authority College, Jos, Plateau state.

Methods: the study was a descriptive, cross sectional, questionnaire based study in which a systematic random sampling technique was used to recruit the desired sample population, and these recruited participants were administered the questionnaire which was used for data collection. The questions were made to capture the objectives of the study.

Results: Most of the respondents 267 (65%) were aware of cervical cancer, 134 (30.2%) respondents knew that HPV was an important aetiological factor, while only 118 (28.7%) were aware of papanicolaou smear. 207 (50.4%) knew that cervical cancer begins as abnormal cervical changes. Only 63 (15.3%) of the respondents had carried out a pap smear.

Conclusion: The study conducted shows that the knowledge of cervical cancer, papanicolaou smear and its utilization among the study population is still generally low.