Factors Influencing Uptake of Cervical Cancer Screening among Female Health Workers in University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Rivers State

Abstract

This is a cross-sectional descriptive survey. The purpose of the study was to examine the factors that influence the uptake of cervical cancer screening among female health workers at the University of Port Harcourt teaching hospital (UPTH), Rivers state. A sample size of 352 was used for the study. A self structured questionnaire was the instrument used for data collection. The reliability indices were established using test-retest approach. The scores obtained were computed using Pearson's product-moment coefficient correlation to obtain the reliability co-efficient (r) of 0.94 which was considered adequate. Data analyses were done using statistical soft ware package, for Social Sciences version 20.0. Descriptive statistics of percentages, mean, standard deviation and criterion mean of 2.5. Inferential statistics (chi-square and Analysis of variance) were used to test associations. Major findings of the study revealed that unavailability of screening services and poor attitude of female health workers were among the major factors that hinder uptake of cervical cancer screening. Some of the recommendations made include: an intensive and extensive sensitization of female health workers about the necessity of cervical cancer screening; More information, education and communication materials like picto-pamphlets should be made available and distributed at strategic centers were women are and can be found; to overcome cultural barriers, there is need to involve community leaders, respectable men and women in each community who should be involved both in disseminating the information on cervical cancer screening and screening programmes and the provision of adequately equipped screening centers which should also be accessible to women.

The determinants of knowledge of cervical cancer, attitude towards screening and practice of cervical cancer prevention amongst antenatal attendees in Ibadan, Southwest Nigeria

“…Those with good knowledge were about 16 times more likely to practice either form of CCP as against women with poor knowledge. Nigeria has a remarkably low level of uptake of Pap smear and HPV vaccination; [ 29 , 37 , 38 ] other African countries are not quite different [ 13 , 39 , 40 ]. It is important to increase the awareness of CCP in order to promote its practice [ 31 ].…”

Cervical Cancer Screening Adoption Behaviours among Nigerian Women in Academia: using a Health Belief Model

“…Ensuring the availability of female doctors and other health workers incomprehensive maternal healthcare services should be considered an apparent, strategy that might in uence the optimum utilization of maternal healthcare services. [19] However, a more recent study reported the poor attitude of female health workers offering the services as one of the factors that negatively affect the uptake of CCS [9] , hence the need for training and re-training on service delivery attitudinal change.…”

“…Another study among female health workers had previously reported socio and economic status as a strong in uence on the uptake of CCS. [9] Almost half of the respondents were also undecided about going for CCS services without their husbands' consent. This is not surprising considering the patriarchal nature and cultural beliefs of the Nigerian society which gives the men the sole responsibility to make decisions in the family, just as reported in another study where the male study participants insisted that their wives must obtain their consent before screening.…”

“…[8] Studies have been conducted to investigate the several barriers that in uence the uptake of cervical cancer screening (CCS) such as its nancial implications, accessibility, availability, and poor knowledge among women of reproductive age. [9][10][11] However, few studies have reported women's preferences toward the delivery of cervical cancer screening. Furthermore, it is presumed that educated women are more informed on health issues and make greater use of health services [12] .…”