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Prevention of cervical cancer among female undergraduates in two universities in south-western Nigeria
Abstract
Objectives: The study assessed the effects of an educational package on the knowledge of female undergraduates (FUs) on CC and its prevention using the Pap smear.
Study Design: A quasi experimental design was adopted. Two universities in South west Nigeria was used. Forty subjects who were sexually active were recruited from each university. Instruments used were an educational package and a semi structured questionnaire. The experimental subjects were given access to free Pap smear as a preventive measure. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics and test. Ethical clearance was taken from the institutions while informed consent was taken from each subject.
Results: The results showed that 10% of experimental and 17.5% of the control subjects had good knowledge of CC and its prevention at pre-intervention. At post intervention, 92.5% of the experimental and 35% of the control group had good knowledge. During the intervention, 42.5% of experimental had Pap's Smear. Of these subjects that had Pap smear, 47% had abnormal results that required cytology and further investigation. At p= 0.001, there was a significant difference in the mean scores of both groups.
Conclusion: The introduction of a health education package and provision of Pap smear significantly improved the knowledge of FUs on CC and their uptake of Pap smear. It is recommended that health education on CC and prevention using HPV vaccines and Pap smear be given to University students.
Keywords: Cervical Cancer, Educational Package, Pap Smear, Female Undergraduates
Trop J Obstet Gynaecol, 30 (1), April 2013
