Women's Knowledge on Ovarian Cancer Symptoms and Risk Factors in Nigeria: An Institutional-based Study

Okunowo, Adeyemi Adebola; Adaramoye, Victoria Olawunmi

doi:10.2991/j.jegh.2018.07.002

Cited by 10 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 28 publications

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“…Therefore, there has been a growing interest to focus on increasing the level of women’s knowledge of OC symptoms in order to improve earlier diagnosis [ 30 ]. In concordance with previous studies from other countries, this study found poor knowledge of OC symptoms among Palestinian women [ 4 , 25 – 27 ].…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 91%

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Knowledge of ovarian cancer symptoms among women in Palestine: a national cross-sectional study

et al. 2021

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Introduction Ovarian cancer (OC) is often diagnosed at advanced stages. This study aimed to assess the Palestinian women’s knowledge about OC symptoms and determine the factors associated with having good knowledge. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted from July 2019 to March 2020 in the two main areas of Palestine: the West Bank and Jerusalem as well as the Gaza Strip. A translated-into-Arabic version of the validated OC awareness measure (OCAM) was utilized for data collection. Stratified convenience sampling was used to recruit adult women attending hospitals, primary healthcare centers, and public spaces at 11 governorates. The knowledge level was categorized into three categories based on the number of symptoms recognized: poor (0 to 4), fair (5 to 8), and good (9 to 11). Results Of 6095 approached, 5618 participants completed the Arabic OCAM (response rate = 92.1%).A total of 5411 questionnaires were included in the analysis: 2278 from the Gaza Strip and 3133 from the West Bank and Jerusalem. Participants living in the West Bank and Jerusalem were older, of higher monthly income, and with more chronic diseases than those living in the Gaza Strip. The most frequently identified symptoms were ‘extreme generalized fatigue’ (n = 3821, 70.6%), ‘unexplained weight loss’ (n = 3607, 66.7%), and ‘increased abdominal size on most days’ (n = 3252, 60.1%). On the other hand, the least recognized symptoms were ‘feeling full persistently’ (n = 1553, 28.7%) and ‘difficulty eating on most days’ (n = 1971, 36.4%). Only 943 participants (17.4%) displayed good knowledge of OC symptoms. Participants from the Gaza Strip had a higher likelihood than participants from the West Bank and Jerusalem to have a good level of knowledge (21.0% vs. 14.8%). Being married, knowing someone with cancer, and visiting hospitals were all associated with a higher likelihood of having good knowledge level. However, living in the West Bank and Jerusalem was associated with a lower likelihood of having good knowledge. Conclusion The overall knowledge of OC symptoms in this study was low. Educational interventions are needed to improve Palestinian women’s knowledge about OC symptoms.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 91%

“…The model of the multivariable analysis adjusted for age-group, menarche, educational level, occupation, monthly income, residency, having a chronic disease, knowing someone with cancer, marital status, and site of data collection. This model was pre-specified based on the existing literature [4,[25][26][27][28].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Knowledge of ovarian cancer symptoms among women in Palestine: a national cross-sectional study

et al. 2021

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“…This is similar to the findings from other countries, where women with higher levels of education were more knowledgeable of the symptoms and risk factors of ovarian cancer. 6 , 22 Thus, education is an essential factor in increasing awareness of cancer symptoms and predisposing cancer risk factors, such as smoking, physical inactivity, obesity, and an unhealthy diet. 23 The role of education in increasing awareness among women of risk factors and symptoms of ovarian cancer in this study confirms findings from earlier studies conducted worldwide, which showed that people with higher levels of education recognized cancer symptoms better than those who were literate alone or less educated.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Barriers to Healthcare Seeking, Beliefs about Ovarian Cancer and the Role of Socio-Economic Position. A Cross-Sectional Multilevel Study in Dubai, A Multicultural Society

Saki

Ali

Saki

et al. 2021

Journal of Public Health Research

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Background: Studies have shown that public awareness of ovarian cancer is weak, and women are often diagnosed at late stages when treatment is difficult.Design and Methods: To determine the barriers for seeking early medical care and level of knowledge and awareness among women regarding ovarian cancer. A structured questionnaire was designed and adapted from the validated cancer awareness measure.Results: The recognition level of ovarian cancer symptoms among women in this study varied from 12-51%, and the most alarming ones, back pain, eating difficulties, and persistent abdominal pain, were missed by most of the surveyed women. The most recognized ovarian cancer risk factors were never being pregnant, having a history of infertility, and going through menopause, while the least recognized was having personal or family history of breast cancer. Non-UAE nationals’ women with higher educational levels had better knowledge of ovarian cancer compared to their peers.Conclusions: A change or implementation model is highly recommended in order to improve women's awareness of ovarian cancer symptoms. Strengthening education among women with regards to risk factors, early symptoms, and the need to seek early medical help should help to increase ovarian cancer awareness and reduce a delay in the diagnosis.

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“…Similarly, being married may confer a false sense of protection against contracting HPV infection which makes the woman believe she is not at risk of HPV related diseases. Education has always remained a key predictor of knowledge and uptake of preventive health measures ( Okunowo and Adaramoye, 2018 , Rakowski et al, 2004 ). The more educated the woman is, the higher her chances of utilizing CC preventive measures like HPV vaccination as found in our study and other studies ( Kisaakye et al, 2018 , Ebu et al, 2021 Jan 6 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Willingness to receive HPV vaccination, to vaccinate daughter and to do HPV testing were also assessed. Knowledge and perception score was calculated for HPV, HPV vaccination and HPV testing by using a similar scoring system used in previous study ( Okunowo and Adaramoye, 2018 ). The questionnaires were interviewer administered by trained personnel.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Predictors, barriers and motivating factors for human papillomavirus vaccination and testing as preventive measures for cervical cancer: A study of urban women in Lagos, Nigeria

Okunowo

Ugwu

Kuku

et al. 2021

Preventive Medicine Reports

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Highlights Uptake of HPV vaccination & testing was abysmally low despite good knowledge of it. Unvaccinated and untested women were more willing to accept HPV test than vaccination. Knowing CC patient, being employed & unmarried predicted HPV vaccination & testing. Recommendation by HCP & friend/relative were motivators for HPV vaccination & test. Fear, cost & non-recommendation by HCP were barriers to HPV vaccination & testing.

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Women's Knowledge on Ovarian Cancer Symptoms and Risk Factors in Nigeria: An Institutional-based Study

Cited by 10 publications

References 28 publications

Knowledge of ovarian cancer symptoms among women in Palestine: a national cross-sectional study

Knowledge of ovarian cancer symptoms among women in Palestine: a national cross-sectional study

Barriers to Healthcare Seeking, Beliefs about Ovarian Cancer and the Role of Socio-Economic Position. A Cross-Sectional Multilevel Study in Dubai, A Multicultural Society

Predictors, barriers and motivating factors for human papillomavirus vaccination and testing as preventive measures for cervical cancer: A study of urban women in Lagos, Nigeria

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