• Users Online: 14707
  • Home
  • Print this page
  • Email this page
Home About us Editorial board Ahead of print Current issue Search Archives Submit article Instructions Subscribe Contacts Login 


 
 Table of Contents  
ORIGINAL ARTICLE
Year : 2017  |  Volume : 34  |  Issue : 3  |  Page : 218-223

Awareness and perception of risk for cervical cancer among women in Ogbomoso, Nigeria


1 Department of Family Medicine, Sacred Heart Hospital, Lantoro, Abeokuta, Nigeria
2 Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
3 Department of Family Medicine, Bowen University Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso, Nigeria
4 Department of Histopathology, Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State, Nigeria
5 Department of Psychiatry, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospitals, Osogbo, Ogbomoso, Nigeria
6 Department of Community Medicine, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospitals, Osogbo, Ogbomoso, Nigeria

Date of Web Publication23-Nov-2017

Correspondence Address:
Timothy A. O. Oluwasola
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan
Nigeria
Login to access the Email id

Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None


DOI: 10.4103/TJOG.TJOG_56_16

Rights and Permissions
  Abstract 

Background: Cervical cancer, though preventable, remains the leading cause of cancer death among women in developing countries after breast. Lack of awareness and access to preventive methods remains a key factor contributing to high levels of cervical cancer in these populations.
Objectives: The study aimed to assess the level of awareness of, and perception of risk for, cervical cancer among women attending Bowen University Teaching Hospital (BUTH) general outpatient clinic.
Methodology: This was a cross-sectional study conducted at the BUTH, Ogbomoso. Data were obtained from 318 consenting women using systematic random sampling method. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to gather information about their sociodemographic characteristics, marital and reproductive history, and awareness and perception of risk for cervical cancer. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 23.0. The level of statistical significance was set at P < 0.05.
Results: Awareness for cervical cancer and its screening tests were 22.6% and 17.9%, respectively, with major sources of information being from health talks and hospital staffs. About 5.7% believed that they may be at risk whereas only 1.6% had ever been screened. Perception of risk is significantly associated with age (χ2 = 20.05, P = 0.005) and early coitarche (χ2 = 10.46, P = 0.015). Overall, respondents' attitude was positive to cervical cancer screening.
Conclusion: The level of awareness of cervical cancer and screening was low among the respondents. Increased media campaign about its risks and preventive measures is urgently needed.

Keywords: Awareness; cervical cancer; Ogbomoso; risk; screening.


How to cite this article:
Abiodun AB, Oluwasola TA, Durodola AO, Ajani MA, Abiodun AD, Adeomi AA. Awareness and perception of risk for cervical cancer among women in Ogbomoso, Nigeria. Trop J Obstet Gynaecol 2017;34:218-23

How to cite this URL:
Abiodun AB, Oluwasola TA, Durodola AO, Ajani MA, Abiodun AD, Adeomi AA. Awareness and perception of risk for cervical cancer among women in Ogbomoso, Nigeria. Trop J Obstet Gynaecol [serial online] 2017 [cited 2024 Mar 29];34:218-23. Available from: https://www.tjogonline.com/text.asp?2017/34/3/218/219068


  Introduction Top


Cervical cancer is a preventable disease of significant public health concern, especially in developing countries where it is associated with a high mortality rate.[1],[2],[3] It is estimated to account for up to 80% of all gynecological cancer-related admissions in several African countries.[2],[4] Implementation of organized screening programs, early detection, accessibility to treatment, reduction in parity, and control of other risk factors have significantly contributed to reduction in its incidence and death rates in most developed countries.[5] Cervical cancer exposes the vulnerability of poor, uneducated women often living in underserved areas reflective of poor access to health care as well as gender inequality, and who may be put at risk by their spouses' high sex risk, a situation common in patriarchal societies like Nigeria.[2] In Nigeria, cervical cancer burden accounts for 63% of genital cancers.[6]

Cervical cancer awareness is generally low worldwide but worse in developing countries despite the increased prevalence of the disease in these countries.[1],[7],[8],[9],[10],[11] A previous population-based study conducted in Southwest Nigeria revealed that only 4.1% of women identified cervical screening as a way to prevent cervical cancer and over 97% had poor or no knowledge of its risk factors and/or symptoms.[1] The main thrust of this study was to assess the level of awareness of cervical cancer among the respondents and also assess their personal perception of risk for the disease.


  Methodology Top


This study was conducted at the General Outpatient Department of the Bowen University Teaching Hospital (BUTH) – a 232-bedded teaching hospital with facilities for primary, secondary, and tertiary health-care services – located in Ogbomoso, Nigeria. This was a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted between January 1 and March 31, 2014, among consenting, sexually active, women aged 20–65 years who attended the general outpatient clinic of BUTH.

Sampling method

One of the first four eligible patients attending the clinic was chosen randomly, and every subsequent fourth patient from this initial respondent was selected and interviewed. The research instrument was a semi-structured interviewer-administered questionnaire which was used to obtain information on the respondents' sociodemographic characteristics, education, marital and reproductive history, awareness of cervical screening modalities, and perception of risk for cervical cancer.

Ethical clearance was obtained from the Institution's Ethics Committee before commencing the study. The aims and scope of the study were properly explained to the patients and the fact that they will receive the best level of care in the hospital irrespective of their choice in taking part in the study.

Data management

The questionnaires were manually sorted out, cleaned, and coded. Data were entered into a computer and analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 23.0 for Windows. Frequency tables were generated for the different variables, and Chi-square statistics test was used to compare rates and proportions for possible associations. The level of significance was set at P < 0.05.


  Results Top


We analyzed the interview outcome of 318 participants whose mean age was 42.1 ± 8.8 years. Majority of the respondents (138, 43.4%) were between age 40 and 49 years, 293 (92.1%) were still married with 251 (78.9%) being in a monogamous setting. Most of them (283, 89%) belong to the Christian faith and more than half (162, 50.9%) had tertiary education. Only two (0.6%) of the respondents are current smokers [Table 1]. By age 19, 58 (18.2%) of them have become sexually active although the mean age of sexual debut was 23.5 ± 4.5 years. More than two-fifths of the respondents (43.1%) have multiple sexual partners whereas one-fifth is grand multiparous [Table 2].
Table 1: Sociodemographic characteristics of the respondents

Click here to view
Table 2: Sexual and reproductive history

Click here to view


History of foul smelling vaginal discharge and treatment options by respondents is as shown in [Table 3]. Among all the respondents, only 72 (22.6%) were ever aware of cervical cancer and the most common sources of information were through health talks and hospital staffs. Less than half of this group of respondents was aware that cervical cancer was common in Nigeria. The knowledge of the associated risk factors was equally poor among the respondents. However, having multiple sexual partners was clearly identified as a risk factor while postcoital bleeding was regarded as a symptom [Table 4].
Table 3: History of foul smelling vaginal discharge and treatment

Click here to view
Table 4: Awareness of risk factors for cervical cancer

Click here to view


Awareness of respondents about cervical cancer screening is as shown in [Table 5]. Only 57 (79.2%) of those aware of cervical cancer, less than one-fifth of the study population, were also aware of availability of screening program.  Pap smear More Details screening was the most common method identified (49, 68.1%) although ten (13.9%) were aware of visual inspection of the cervix with acetic acid. On perception of risk, 94.3% believed that they are not at risk of having cervical cancer although all the respondents agreed to be examined and screened for cervical cancer if given the opportunity. Only five (1.6%) of the study population had ever been screened, and all these were through the Pap smear method. [Figure 1] illustrates the reasons why the remaining respondents were never screened.
Figure 1: Reasons why screening was never done

Click here to view
Table 5: Awareness of cervical cancer and screening services

Click here to view


Overall, respondents' attitude was positive to cervical cancer screening. Perception of risk is significantly associated with age (χ2 = 20.05, P = 0.005) and early coitarche (χ2 = 10.46, P = 0.015) [Table 6].
Table 6: Association between selected variables and respondents' perception of being at risk for cervical cancer

Click here to view



  Discussion Top


Our study aimed to determine the awareness and perception of risk for cervical cancer among women in the semi-urban area of Ogbomoso, Nigeria and found very low levels – 22.6% and 5.7%, respectively, which is similar to previous reports.[1],[5],[8],[9],[10],[11],[12],[13] The mean age of the women's sexual debut was similar to previously reported studies but higher than the report from Zaria, Northern Nigeria, where sexual activities and childbearing occurred at much younger age than the general population.[12],[13],[14] In studies conducted recently among adolescents, Adeomi et al. and Olugbenga-Bello et al. found a mean age of sexual debut of 12.7 ± 2.7 years and 15.2 ± 1.62 years, respectively [13],[14] – a clear reflection of decline in age at coitarche, thereby suggesting a potential higher risk of exposure to human papillomavirus and by implication to cervical cancer. These studies also showed that adolescents who begin sexual activity early are likely to have sex with more partners and therefore being at greater risk of exposure to sexually transmitted infections.[13],[14]

The level of awareness is comparable to the levels of awareness found in the general female population in some other parts of Nigeria.[15],[16],[17] Omotara et al. had reported an awareness level of 28.4% in Maiduguri, Northeast Nigeria [15] but low levels of awareness were also found in Gwagwalada, Abuja, and Aba, Southeast Nigeria.[15],[16],[17] This implied that the impact of current efforts at increasing awareness about cervical cancer is yet to have a positive effects on the populace, thus instigating an urgent need for a review of these approaches, identifying the challenges associated with the low awareness, and fashioning ways of overcoming them.

Similar to observations of wide disparity between the level of awareness of cervical cancer, awareness of screening programs, and uptake of screening services from previous studies,[1],[11],[16],[18] this study found out that, although a little above one-fifth and just about one-sixth of the respondents were aware of cervical cancer and screening services, respectively, <2% had ever been screened for premalignant cervical lesion. This is a reflection of the paucity of available information on cervical cancer prevention, detection, and treatment which would have greatly influenced the desire for a reduction in the incidence and prevalence rates over time. On the contrary, the uptake of cervical cancer screening was generally high in most developed countries with organized screening programs.[19],[20]

According to Abiodun et al., the most important barrier to reduction of cervical cancer burden is lack of awareness about the disease and its preventive measures.[1] Studies from other parts of Nigeria and also from Zimbabwe and South Africa showed that most women were not aware of cervical cancer screening.[16],[21],[22] This was corroborated in this study where >80% of those who are yet to be screened claimed they were never aware of cervical screening. However, some studies have suggested that awareness and knowledge of cervical cancer and screening do not necessarily translate to the uptake of cervical screening services because of confounders such as indifferent attitude of the individual and lack of access to screening.[16],[23] This may explain the other reasons given in this study by those who had never had cervical screening done, which includes not knowing where to do the screening, being afraid of a negative result or believing that they could not have the disease.

Successful implementation of screening depends on awareness and willingness on the part of women at risk.[16],[23] The fact that most of the women in this study had a positive attitude toward having vaginal examinations performed on them even when they had no symptoms and were willing to undergo screening is considered important. These findings underscore the importance of increasing the level of awareness and health education on cervical cancer and making screening services available, accessible, and affordable, thus positively influencing the uptake of cervical cancer screening among the women.

The most common source of information about cervical cancer and screening in this study was through the health workers with fewer efforts from the media which is in consonance with previous studies.[1],[24],[25],[26] It is of grave concern that the media play an insignificant role in disseminating information about cervical cancer information about cervical cancer which implies that intensifying efforts to increase the level of awareness of women and the entire populace may continue to achieve little impact until the mass and social media are thoroughly involved.[27],[28] The National Health Service has had to involve prominent public figures such as movie stars or music artists in disseminating information on cancer screening programs and recorded a significant increase in uptake of cancer screening.[29] Thus, a well-funded media campaign could change the current picture in Nigeria.

It is, therefore, recommended that intense public health campaigns are conducted on a sustained basis in the provision of cervical cancer education with emphasis on its etiology, risk factors, and methods of prevention, especially the need for screening and vaccination as appropriate. A national screening guideline that encourages doctors to recommend screening services to eligible patients should be instituted. However, being a hospital-based study, complementary community-based studies may give a better picture of awareness and perception of risk for cervical cancer among women in the community.


  Conclusion Top


The level of awareness of cervical cancer and screening is low among women attending the General Outpatient Clinic of BUTH, Ogbomoso. Women in this study population are at considerable risk of developing cancer of the cervix but are poorly informed about the disease and its prevention, just like most women in the developing countries.

The knowledge of risk factors, symptoms, and prevention was also very poor. Consequently, the uptake of cervical cancer screening services was very low. The major barrier to the uptake of cervical cancer screening among the respondents was lack of awareness and knowledge about cervical cancer and its preventive measures. However, there was a positive attitude to screening as all the respondents agreed to vaginal examination by a health practitioner even when they did not have symptoms and also agreed to screening when given the opportunity. It is, therefore, very important to concentrate more effort on increasing awareness and enhancing the knowledge of women about cervical cancer and screening to step up the campaign for the control of cervical cancer in Nigeria.

Financial support and sponsorship

Nil.

Conflicts of interest

There are no conflicts of interest.

 
  References Top

1.
Abiodun OA, Fatungase OK, Olu-Abiodun OO, Idowu-Ajiboye BA, Awosile JO. An assessment of women's awareness and knowledge about cervical cancer and screening and the barriers to cervical screening in Ogun State, Nigeria. J Dent Med Sci 2013;10:52-8.  Back to cited text no. 1
    
2.
Adewole IF, Benedet JL, Crain BT, Follen M. Evolving a strategic approach to cervical cancer control in Africa. Gynecol Oncol 2005;99:S209-12.  Back to cited text no. 2
[PUBMED]    
3.
Ferlay J, Shin HR, Bray F, Forman D, Mathers C, Parkin DM, et al. Estimates of worldwide burden of cancer in 2008: GLOBOCAN 2008. Int J Cancer 2010;127:2893-917.  Back to cited text no. 3
    
4.
Denny L. Cervical cancer in South Africa: An over- view of current status and prevention strategies. Contin Med Educ 2010;28:70-3.  Back to cited text no. 4
    
5.
Albert S, Oguntayo O, Samaila M. Comparative study of visual inspection of the cervix using acetic acid (VIA) and papanicolaou (Pap) smears for cervical cancer screening. Ecancermedicalscience 2012;6:262.  Back to cited text no. 5
[PUBMED]    
6.
WHO/ICO Information Centre on HPV and Cervical Cancer (HPV Information Centre). Human Papilloma Virus and Related Cancers in Nigeria. Summary Report 2010. Geneva; 2010.  Back to cited text no. 6
    
7.
Olowookere SA, Abioye-Kuteyi EA, Airewele EP, Fasure HA, Fayose O, Onakpoma F, et al. Awareness and uptake of human papilloma virus vaccination and cervical cancer screening among female undergraduate students in Tertiary Institution in Nigeria. Niger J Fam Pract 2012;3:27-32.  Back to cited text no. 7
    
8.
Anorlu RI. Cervical cancer: The sub-saharan african perspective. Reprod Health Matters 2008;16:41-9.  Back to cited text no. 8
[PUBMED]    
9.
Ogunbode OO, Ayinde OA. Awareness of cervical cancer and screening in a Nigerian female market population. Ann Afr Med 2005;4:160-3.  Back to cited text no. 9
    
10.
Chigbu CO, Onyebuchi AK, Ajah LO, Onwudiwe EN. Motivations and preferences of rural Nigerian women undergoing cervical cancer screening via visual inspection with acetic acid. Int J Gynaecol Obstet 2013;120:262-5.  Back to cited text no. 10
[PUBMED]    
11.
Awodele O, Adeyomoye AA, Awodele DF, Kwashi V, Awodele IO, Dolapo DC, et al. Astudy on cervical cancer screening amongst nurses in Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Lagos, Nigeria. J Cancer Educ 2011;26:497-504.  Back to cited text no. 11
    
12.
Sule ST, Shehu MS. Cervical cancer management in Zaria, Nigeria. Afr J Health Sci 2007;14:149-53.  Back to cited text no. 12
    
13.
Adeomi AA, Adeoye OA, Adewole A, Israel O, Temitayo-Oboh A. Sexual risk behaviours among adolescents attending secondary schools in a Southwestern State in Nigeria. J Behav Health 2014;3:176-80.  Back to cited text no. 13
    
14.
Olugbenga-Bello AI, Adebimpe WO, Abodunrin OL. Sexual risk behaviour among in-school adolescents in public secondary schools in a Southwestern City in Nigeria. Int J Health Res 2009;2:243-51.  Back to cited text no. 14
    
15.
Omotara BA, Yahya SJ, Amodu MO, Bimba JS. Assessment of the knowledge, attitude and practice of rural women of northeast Nigeria on risk factors associated with cancer of the Cervix. Health 2013;5:1367-71.  Back to cited text no. 15
    
16.
Nnodu O, Erinosho L, Jamda M, Olaniyi O, Adelaiye R, Lawson L, et al. Knowledge and attitudes towards cervical cancer and human papillomavirus: A Nigerian pilot study. Afr J Reprod Health 2010;14:95-108.  Back to cited text no. 16
[PUBMED]    
17.
Feyi-Waboso PA, Kamanu C, Aluka C. Awareness and risk factors for cervical cancer among women in Aba, South-Eastern Nigeria. Trop J Obstet Gynaecol 2005;22:25-6.  Back to cited text no. 17
    
18.
Balogun MR, Odukoya OO, Oyediran MA, Ujomu PI. Cervical cancer awareness and preventive practices: A challenge for female urban slum dwellers in Lagos, Nigeria. Afr J Reprod Health 2012;16:75-82.  Back to cited text no. 18
[PUBMED]    
19.
Lee-Lin F, Pett M, Menon U, Lee S, Nail L, Mooney K, et al. Cervical cancer beliefs and pap test screening practices among Chinese American immigrants. Oncol Nurs Forum 2007;34:1203-9.  Back to cited text no. 19
[PUBMED]    
20.
Klug SJ, Hetzer M, Blettner M. Screening for breast and cervical cancer in a large German city: Participation, motivation and knowledge of risk factors. Eur J Public Health 2005;15:70-7.  Back to cited text no. 20
    
21.
Chirwa S, Mwanahamuntu M, Kapambwe S, Mkumba G, Stringer J, Sahasrabuddhe V, et al. Myths and misconceptions about cervical cancer among Zambian women: Rapid assessment by peer educators. Glob Health Promot 2010;17:47-50.  Back to cited text no. 21
    
22.
Francis SA, Nelson J, Liverpool J, Soogun S, Mofammere N, Thorpe RJ Jr., et al. Examining attitudes and knowledge about HPV and cervical cancer risk among female clinic attendees in Johannesburg, South Africa. Vaccine 2010;28:8026-32.  Back to cited text no. 22
    
23.
Ayinde OA, Omigbodun AO, Ilesanmi AO. Awareness of cervical cancer, papanicolaou's smear and its utilisation among female undergraduates in Ibadan. Afr J Reprod Health 2004;8:68-80.  Back to cited text no. 23
    
24.
Owoeye IO, Ibrahim IA. Knowledge and attitude towards cervical cancer screening among female students and staff in a tertiary institution in the Niger Delta. Int J Med Biomed Res 2013;2:48-56.  Back to cited text no. 24
    
25.
Ezem BU. Awareness and uptake of cervical cancer screening in Owerri, South-Eastern Nigeria. Ann Afr Med 2007;6:94-8.  Back to cited text no. 25
[PUBMED]  [Full text]  
26.
Were E, Nyaberi Z, Buziba N. Perceptions of risk and barriers to cervical cancer screening at moi teaching and referral hospital (MTRH), Eldoret, Kenya. Afr Health Sci 2011;11:58-64.  Back to cited text no. 26
    
27.
World Health Organization (WHO). Prevention of Cervical Cancer Through Screening Using Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid (VIA) and Treatment with Cryotherapy. Nigeria: WHO; 2012. p. 1-33.  Back to cited text no. 27
    
28.
Tackling Cervical Cancer: Improving Access to Cervical Cancer Services for women in Southern Africa; October, 2012. p. 1-84. Southern Africa Litigation Centre Report. Available from: http://www.southernafricalitigationcentre.org. [Last accessed on 2016 Nov 26].  Back to cited text no. 28
    
29.
National Health Service (NHS). NHS Cancer Screening Programmes: Annual Review; 2009. p. 1-24. Available from: http://www.cancerscreening.nhs.uk/topic/population-screening-programmes/cervical. [Last accessed on 2016 Nov 29].  Back to cited text no. 29
    


    Figures

  [Figure 1]
 
 
    Tables

  [Table 1], [Table 2], [Table 3], [Table 4], [Table 5], [Table 6]



 

Top
 
 
  Search
 
Similar in PUBMED
   Search Pubmed for
   Search in Google Scholar for
 Related articles
Access Statistics
Email Alert *
Add to My List *
* Registration required (free)

 
  In this article
Abstract
Introduction
Methodology
Results
Discussion
Conclusion
References
Article Figures
Article Tables

 Article Access Statistics
    Viewed8040    
    Printed332    
    Emailed0    
    PDF Downloaded525    
    Comments [Add]    

Recommend this journal


[TAG2]
[TAG3]
[TAG4]