Premium
Knowledge and attitudes about cervical cancer and its prevention among female secondary school students in Nigeria
Author(s) -
Ifediora Chris O.,
Azuike Emmanuel C.
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
tropical medicine and international health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.056
H-Index - 114
eISSN - 1365-3156
pISSN - 1360-2276
DOI - 10.1111/tmi.13070
Subject(s) - medicine , cervical cancer , curriculum , family medicine , gynecology , developing country , cross sectional study , vaccination , positive attitude , cancer , demography , pathology , psychology , social psychology , pedagogy , economics , economic growth , sociology
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.