Women’s Views on Knowledge and Barriers to Cervical Cancer Screening among Women in Kaduna State, Nigeria

Abstract

Cervical cancer is a major cause of death among women in Kaduna State. Knowledge and access to regular screening will reduce the incidence of the disease. This study was a community-based, qualitative study on women living in Kaduna State, Nigeria. It assessed women`s knowledge about cervical cancer screening and identified barriers affecting screening for cervical cancer among women in Kaduna State. The population of the study included women of reproductive age group between 15 and 45 years who were purposively selected. Qualitative technique of data collection using Focus Group Discussions were held for the women. The study took place within the three Senatorial Zones of the State. The results were transcribed, themes and patterns emerged, systematically and critically analyzed and results presented verbatim in quotations. The findings showed that various factors influenced utilization of cervical cancer screening among which was the fact that, majority of the respondents were not aware of the screening services, negative beliefs regarding the causation of cervical cancer and prevention, lack of finance, no symptoms, among others. Among those who were aware of the screening, male health personnels screening the females was a major barrier. Major factors identified that can improve screening for the women were, increasing awareness for women and female health personnels screening the women for cervical cancer among other reasons. It was therefore recommended that, information regarding cervical cancer and screening should be disseminated to the populace. Female health personnels should be trained on cheap screening methods such as Visual Inspection using Acetic acid which is a screening method suitable for low resource settings.

Cervical Cancer: Assessment of Its Knowledge, Utilization of Services and Its Determinant Among Female Undergraduate Students in a Low Resource Setting

“…9 Specifically, the prevalence of cervical cancer screening in Nigeria has been reported at rates of 8.3%, 28 0%, 29 5.2%, 30 10.2%, 9 15%, 31 4.4%, 11 and 18.4%. 16 Furthermore, it has been reported that almost two-thirds of patients with cervical cancer in Nigeria and other developing countries present at stages III or later, 9,10,22,26,27,32 and that a single one time screen could potentially save the lives of more than 6,000 women annually. 9 This calls for the proper education of the populace on the benefits of cervical cancer screening.…”