Uptake of cervical cancer screening: awareness, willingness and practice among antenatal clinic attendees in Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Cervical cancer remains the commonest genital tract cancer and yet it is preventable through cytologic screening with Pap smear. Awareness and willingness among target population is an imperative for uptake of screening services.

Aim: To contribute to the existing knowledge base, and in particular, bridge the information gap on awareness, willingness and practice regarding uptake of cervical cancer screening in south-south Nigeria.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among a random sample of 335 pregnant women attending an antenatal clinic at the Braithwaite Memorial Hospital in Port Harcourt between October and November 2002. Level of compliance was 97.6%.

Results: The mean age of the respondents was 27.6 ± 14.5 years; 185 (56.6%) possessed tertiary education, and 251 (84.4%) were married. Level of   awareness   of  cervical   cancer   was   60.9%

(n=199), and 52.0% (n=170) for awareness of Pap smear. The level of awareness appeared to increase with level of education   (2 p-value =0.002). More than half, 226 (69.1%; 95%CI= 63.8-74.1) indicated willingness to screen for cervical cancer if given the opportunity. At the time of the study, 27 (8.3%; 95%CI=5.5-11.8) of the respondents had done a Pap smear test. This accounted for 15.9% (95%CI=10.7-22.3) of the 170 who were aware of Pap smear, and 11.9% (95%CI=8.0-16.9) of those who were willing to have a Pap smear.

Conclusion: This study revealed a relatively high level of awareness and practice of cervical cancer screening compared to other regional figures in Nigeria.

Keywords: Cervical cancer, Pap smear, Antenatal care,  Port Harcourt,  Nigeria