Olubodun T, Balogun MR, Olowoselu OI, Emina VA, Ugwuowo UU, Ogundele OO, Kerry M, Charles-Eromosele TO, Olubodun AB. Cervical Cancer Knowledge, Risk Factors and Screening Practices among Women Residing in Urban Slums of Lagos, Southwest, Nigeria.
West Afr J Med 2022;
39:595-602. [PMID:
35749636]
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Abstract
BACKGROUND
Cervical cancer is the second leading cause of female cancer deaths in Nigeria. Routine cervical cancer screening and early treatment can prevent up to 80% of cervical cancers. This study was carried out to assess the knowledge, risk factors and practice of cervical cancer screening among women residing in urban slums of Lagos, Nigeria.
METHODS
This descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out among 315 women aged 21-65 years in two slums in Lagos, Nigeria. A two-stage sampling method was used to select respondents. Data was collected using interviewer administered questionnaires. Analysis was done with IBM SPSS version 20.
RESULTS
Only 3.2% had heard of cervical cancer. Most of the women did not know the symptoms (99.4%), or risk factors (99.7%) of cervical cancer, and 96.8% had not heard about cervical cancer screening. Forty-four percent of the respondents were between 21-30 years of age. Half of the respondents (51.4%) had only one lifetime sexual partner. Thirty-eight percent of the respondents had 3-4 children. About forty percent had their first childbirth at less than 20 years of age. Only 4.4% use tobacco. Only two respondents (0.6%) had undergone cervical cancer screening however, 93.3% of the respondents were willing to undergo cervical cancer screening. There was no significant association between socio-demographic factors, risk factors, and willingness to undergo cervical cancer screening.
CONCLUSION
Campaigns should be carried out by government and charitable organisations to increase the knowledge and practice of cervical cancer screening among women residing in slums.
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