KNOWLEDGE AND ATTITUDE OF FEMALE WORKERS IN SELECTED RURAL LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREAS OF IMO STATE, NIGERIA TOWARDS CERVICAL CANCER AND ITS SCREENING

*Peter O. Nwadike, Sylvia O. Anyadoh-Nwadike, Chukwunonyerem Ogwunga and I.N.S. Dozie

ABSTRACT

Cervical cancer is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among women in low- and middle-income countries. Despite its preventable nature through vaccination and early screening, awareness and participation in screening programs remain low, particularly in rural areas. Purpose: This study was aimed at determining the knowledge and attitude of female workers in selected rural Local Government Areas of Imo State towards cervical cancer and its screening. Methodology: Data was collected using validated open-ended, semi structured questionnaire. After responses to the questionnaire were received, seminar on Cervical cancer and its screening was delivered to the respondents. Afterwards, a second set of same questionnaire was administered to same respondents. Total of 460 women of reproductive age were randomly selected from 6 different rural LGAs of Imo State, Nigeria upon their informed consent. Data obtained/responses were analyzed using simple percentage. Chi-square test was used to assess relationship by testing the hypothesis. Result: Results revealed revealed poor baseline knowledge and attitude towards cervical cancer screening; before the seminar, a high average percentage 72.2% (332) of respondents had not heard of cervical cancer while 27.8% (128) have heard. Of those that know about Cervical cancer, average of 90 (70.3%) showed low knowledge. Majority of respondents 366 (79.6%) had poor attitude to screening. They mostly implicated lack of awareness 205 (44.6%) and lack of fund 104 (22.6%) as major reasons for not participating in the screening test. Few 128 (27.8%) agreed to go for screening and vaccination. After the awareness, 400 (87%) agreed to go for the screening test and vaccination if free/affordable. None of the participants had ever been screened. Significant relationship between attitude to cervical cancer and level of knowledge as well as academic level and attitude to cervical cancer screening were obtained. Conclusion: This calls for urgent continued enlightenment on cervical cancer screening to improve cervical cancer screening uptake among women in rural Nigeria especially as soon as sexual activity begins.

Keywords: Cervical cancer, Knowledge, Attitude, screening, awareness, rural Nigeria.