Comparism of Knowledge, Attitude and Acceptance of Cervical Cancer Screening Between Female Health and Non-Health Personnel in Jos University Teaching Hospital

Abstract

Cervical carcinoma is a preventable disease yet it remains the leading genital malignancy among women in sub-Saharan Africa. The study objective was to compare the knowledge, attitude and acceptance of cervical cancer screening among female health Personnel and non- health Personnel in Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH). JUTH. This was a across-sectional study conducted in JUTH between 15th June and 31st July, 2008. There was significant difference in knowledge between the health personnel 288(91.4%) and non-health personnel 145(36.2%) p value < 0.01. Most (73.7%) of the health personnel had correct knowledge about pap smear as a screening procedure for cervical cancer. Doctors had the highest correct knowledge of 97.5%. Only 64(16.0%) of the non-health personnel had correct knowledge about pap smear. Teachers and those attending Gynaecological clinics had the highest correct knowledge of 45.0% and 24.0% respectively. There was significant difference in the overall rate of screening between the health personnel 75(23.8%) and the non-health personnel 44(11.0%). Out of the respondents that had knowledge about pap smear 42(29.0%) of the 145 non-health personnel and 75(26.0%) of the 288 health personnel had screened with no significant difference between the two groups. The two groups had similar reasons why those that were yet to screen had not screened. About 81.3 % of the health personnel and 87.1% of non-health personnel who were yet to screen would like to be screened. There is the need to carefully draw up a plan to tackle the poor knowledge, attitude and acceptance of cervical cancer and its prevention among our women.