Chris O Ifediora1, Emmanuel C Azuike2. 1. Griffith University Medical School, Gold Coast, Qld, Australia. 2. Department of Community Medicine, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Awka, Nigeria.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To ascertain the level of awareness and attitudes towards cervical cancer among secondary school students in Nigeria. METHOD: Cross-sectional survey of 432 female senior secondary school students in south-eastern Nigeria. RESULTS: A total of 321 (74.3%) responses were valid; 42.7% had heard of cervical cancer, 32.8% of screening, 23.2% of Pap smears and 22.0% of HPV/HPV vaccinations. No widely available reliable source of information exists. General knowledge about Pap smears (41.8%) and HPV (43.1%) was poor, as was specific knowledge about their benefits, timing and frequency, and about HPV vaccinations, but associated attitudes were moderately positive at 60.2% and 65.1%, respectively. Awareness of cervical cancers increases knowledge about when to start screening (OR = 2.30; P = 0.02) and about early symptoms of cervical cancer (OR = 2.56; P = 0.001). CONCLUSION: Overall knowledge of cervical cancer is poor, but attitudes are positive. Awareness campaigns are therefore necessary, and are expected to be effective. Campaigns should target teenage females, and commencing teaching in high schools of developing countries, through materials included in their academic curricula, is recommended.
OBJECTIVE: To ascertain the level of awareness and attitudes towards cervical cancer among secondary school students in Nigeria. METHOD: Cross-sectional survey of 432 female senior secondary school students in south-eastern Nigeria. RESULTS: A total of 321 (74.3%) responses were valid; 42.7% had heard of cervical cancer, 32.8% of screening, 23.2% of Pap smears and 22.0% of HPV/HPV vaccinations. No widely available reliable source of information exists. General knowledge about Pap smears (41.8%) and HPV (43.1%) was poor, as was specific knowledge about their benefits, timing and frequency, and about HPV vaccinations, but associated attitudes were moderately positive at 60.2% and 65.1%, respectively. Awareness of cervical cancers increases knowledge about when to start screening (OR = 2.30; P = 0.02) and about early symptoms of cervical cancer (OR = 2.56; P = 0.001). CONCLUSION: Overall knowledge of cervical cancer is poor, but attitudes are positive. Awareness campaigns are therefore necessary, and are expected to be effective. Campaigns should target teenage females, and commencing teaching in high schools of developing countries, through materials included in their academic curricula, is recommended.
Keywords:
zzm321990VPHzzm321990; Attitude; Connaissance; Femmes; Pap smear, HPV, vaccination; Vaccination; attitude; cancer du col de l'utérus; cervical cancer; frottis vaginal; knowledge; women
Authors: Lane McLendon; Jesse Puckett; Chelsea Green; Jenna James; Katharine J Head; Hee Yun Lee; Jennifer Young Pierce; Mark Beasley; Casey L Daniel Journal: Hum Vaccin Immunother Date: 2020-12-16 Impact factor: 3.452
Authors: Christian Ifediora; Lennert Veerman; Emmanuel Azuike; Uchenna Ekwochi; Williams Obiozor Journal: BMC Public Health Date: 2022-10-14 Impact factor: 4.135
Authors: Yetunde O John-Akinola; Chizoma M Ndikom; Mojisola M Oluwasanu; Temitayo Adebisi; Oluwaponmile Odukoya Journal: Cancer Control Date: 2022 Jan-Dec Impact factor: 2.339