Perception and Practice of Cervical Cancer Screening among Female Professionals Attending Gynaecology Clinic at A University Teaching Hospital

Abstract

Background: By using the right screening tools and preventative measures, cervical cancer can be avoided. However, the underuse of preventative measures is caused by a lack of information and awareness. Professional women with sufficient knowledge can have a significant positive impact on the attitudes and behaviours of the broader public. So, we evaluated how professional women perceived and used cervical cancer screening. Objectives: To evaluate how female professionals who visit gynaecology clinics view and approach cervical cancer screening. Methods: A cohort of 160 consenting female professionals working at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH), Nnewi, Nigeria, were used in this facility-based, single-center, descriptive, cross-sectional study. Participants filled up questionnaires about their knowledge assessment, screening for cervical cancer, and personal characteristics that influence them. Simple percentages, charts, and IBM SPSS Statistics 26 for Windows, version 26.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA) were used to portray and analyse the data. Results: The analysis employed a total of 160 questionnaires completed by research participants. All of the selected female professionals knew about cervical cancer screening, with nurses (49.3%) making up the majority. However, just 29.6% of them were aware that cervical cancer is connected to sexually transmitted diseases, and 33.2% were unaware that it is connected to age at first sexual activity. Only 93.2% of respondents had heard of Pap smears, despite the fact that every respondent had heard and read about cervical cancer and its screening. Despite the knowledge, only 44 (27.5%) had performed Pap tests and only 76(47.5%) had ever recommended cervical cancer screening to people. Of the women surveyed, 148 (92.5%) said they would be willing to have a cervical cancer screening, while 18 (11.25%) said they would decline. Conclusion: Despite more knowledge and awareness, the rate of cervical cancer screening among female professionals in Nnewi is still below average and insufficient. Cervical cancer can be avoided. Eliminating the morbidity and mortality frequently linked with cervical cancer would need deliberate efforts to increase screening methods' uptake and utilisation.