Abstract
This study assessed the perception of risk of cervical cancer and existence of risk factors for cervical cancer based on five known risk factors among women attending the Tamale Teaching Hospital in Tamale, Ghana. A consecutive sample of 300 women was interviewed using a semi-structured questionnaire to inquire about risk factors and perception of risk of cervical cancer. Specific risk factors that were explored included early coitarche, multiple sexual partners, polygamous relationships, history of smoking, and having a current partner who had multiple sexual partners. Sixty-one per cent of women reported that they had no personal risk for cervical cancer. 27% of respondents were in polygamous relationships, and of those, more than half didn't think they were at an increased risk of cervical cancer. 2 women had a total of ≥ 5 sexual partners in their lifetime and neither believed they were at any risk for cervical cancer. 23% said their current partner had had at least 2 sexual partners in his lifetime, and of those, (61%) thought they were at no risk for cervical cancer. 46% of respondents reported not having any of the risk factors listed in the study. 23% of respondents reported having one risk factor while 21% had two risk factors and 11% had three or more risk factors. Women's perception of personal risk for cervical cancer is lower than their actual risk based on the five behavioural risk factors assessed and a lack of knowledge of the personal factors for the disease. This project was supported by NIH Research Training Grant #R25 TW009345 funded by the Fogarty International Centre, in partnership with several NIH Institutes (NIMH, NIGMS, NHLBI, OAR and OWH).
Highlights
In Ghana the cervical cancer incidence rate of 26.4 per100,000 women per year makes it the most commonly occurring cancer in women.[1]
A number of risk factors for cervical cancer are linked to exposure to the human papilloma virus (HPV).[2, 3]
This study was conducted between February and July 2013 at the antenatal clinic (ANC) and child welfare clinics (CWC) of the hospital
Summary
In Ghana the cervical cancer incidence rate of 26.4 per. 100,000 women per year makes it the most commonly occurring cancer in women.[1] There are nearly 7 million women aged 15 years and older who are at risk of developing cervical cancer in Ghana[1] cervical cancer and tobacco use.[6] While the prevalence of HPV infection is not known in Ghana, about 21.5%. Of women in the general population in West Africa are estimated to harbor cervical HPV infection at any given time.[1]. A number of risk factors for cervical cancer are linked to exposure to the human papilloma virus (HPV).[2, 3] These include early age of first sexual intercourse 4, having multiple sexual partners[4] and having partners who themselves have multiple sexual partners.[5] Other independent risk factors are infrequent screening for
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