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ORIGINAL RESEARCH ARTICLE
KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICE OF CERVICAL CANCER SCREENING AMONG FEMALE
STUDENTS IN TERTIARY INSTITUTION IN CALABAR, NIGERIA
1, 2, *Ojong Idang Neji, 1Nsemo Alberta David and 1Eno Esther John
1Department of Nursing Science, Faculty of Allied Medical Sciences, University of Calabar, Calabar
2Department of Nursing Science, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, PAMO University of Medical Sciences,
Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria
ARTICLE INFO ABSTRACT
Cervical cancer is one of the commonest cancers in Nigeria. Fortunately, it is preventable by
detecting precancerous lesions early through the use of various screening tools. This screening
can be possible if students are aware of the problem and also if they have positive attitude.
Therefore, this study was conducted to find out the knowledge, attitude and practice of cervical
cancer screening services amongst female students in University of Calabar, Cross River State.
Three specific objectives and two hypotheses were formulated to guide the study. The study
design was a descriptive survey design. Stratified and simple random sampling technique was
adopted to get the 171 sample size that was used for the study. The instrument for data collection
was a four sectioned questionnaire, and a reliability coefficient of 0.68 was used. Simple
percentage and frequency table was used to analyzed the data, while chi-square was used to test
the hypotheses. The findings in this study revealed that, 83.6% of female students had good
knowledge of cervical cancer screening, 67.8% had favourable attitude, while only 14.6%
practiced cervical cancer screening. Hypotheses tested, revealed that no significant relationship
existed between the level of knowledge and attitude towards cervical cancer screening and also,
no significant relationship existed between the year of study and practice of cervical cancer
screening, where x2-calculated of 0.67 and 0.058 were lesser than x2-critical of 5.991 and 5.991
respectively at 0.05 level of significance. Based on the above, it was recommended that female
students should be encouraged on the need to practice cervical cancer screening and also that
government and non-governmental organizations, private investors should invest more into the
health sectors by providing equipments and materials necessary for the provision of these services
in all health facilities and at an affordable price.
Copyright © 2019, Ojong Idang Neji, Nsemo Alberta David and Eno Esther John. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons
Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
INTRODUCTION
Cervical cancer poses a major public health threat to women in
many low and medium resourced countries in South and
Central America, Sub-Saharan Africa, South and South-East
Asia, where it is still the leading type of cancer among women
(Ferlay, Bray, Pisani and Parkin, 2010). With about 500,000
new cases and 250,000 deaths each year worldwide, it is the
second most common cancer among women (World Health
Organization, WHO, 2010) cervical cancer is largely a
preventable disease. It is preceded by a detectable and
preventable pre-invasive phase of about a period of 10-15
years.
*Corresponding author: Ojong Idang Neji,
Department of Nursing Science, Faculty of Allied Medical Sciences, University of
Calabar, Calabar.
The long transition time from a premalignant lesion to frank
cancer of the cervix affords ample time for early detection and
almost complete cure even in secondary health care centres
(Ojong, Esienumoh and Uka 2016). In the developed
countries, large scale screening programmes coupled with
effective treatment of pre-invasive lesions have resulted in a
decline in the incidence of invasive cervical cancer. The
reverse is the case in Nigeria where cervical cancer screening
is mainly opportunistic. Such opportunistic screening tends to
reach groups at low risk and miss those at high risk of
developing the disease (Adefuye 2012). The value of cervical
cancer screening in reducing the risk of cervical cancer and
mortality has been established and the risk of developing
cervical cancer can be reduced by 80% through regular
screening (Ojong, Mgbekem and Uka 2016).
ISSN: 2230-9926
International Journal of Development Research
Vol. 09, Issue, 01, pp.25384-25390, January, 2019
Article History:
Received 12th October, 2018
Received in revised form
26th November, 2018
Accepted 14th December, 2018
Published online 30th January, 2019
Available online at http://www.journalijdr.com
Key Words:
Knowledge, Attitude,
Practice, Screening and Cervical Cancer
Citation: Ojong Idang Neji, Nsemo Alberta David and Eno Esther John, 2019.
“Knowledge, attitude and practice of cervical cancer screening among
female students in tertiary institution in calabar”, International Journal of Development Research, 09, (01), 25384-25390.
ORIGINAL RESEARCH ARTICLE OPEN ACCESS
Furthermore, it has been reported that 50 -90% of women who
develop or die from cervical cancer have never been screened
(Isa et al, 2013). There are many screening techniques
available and each technique has its own advantages and
disadvantages. Currently, the Pap smear screening is the only
cost effective and well established technique available and
used worldwide (Donta, Begum, Nasir, Naik, Mali, and Anil,
2012). But it may be a challenge to implement in low resource
setting, other methods include Visual inspection with Acetic
Acid (VIA) and Human Papilloma Virus Deoxyribonucleic
acid (HPV DNA test). Uptake of Pap smear test in Nigeria is
very low even when compared with other developing
countries. The screening procedure is simple and
straightforward, but can be perceived by women as invasive,
as it requires a pelvic examination. A well organized
programme for processing smear is required, with skilled
personnels for the correct interpretation of results and ensuring
appropriate intervention. Such a programme must be a part of
a comprehensive public health environment where the target
population is educated and informed about the availability of
the procedure and its benefits (Alliance for Cervical cancer
Prevention, 2004).
Cervical cancer screening is underutilized in the developing
countries due to a number of factors like poor educational
background, lack of knowledge regarding the availability and
benefits of screening, lack of information from part of health
care workers, affordability of screening tools by the individual,
cultural barriers, unavailability of facilities at all health centres
and the like of these, lack of awareness and attitude, wrong
beliefs about the disease and screening have led to the poor
uptake and practice of cervical cancer screening. The success
and benefits of screening at a national level as a public health
programme to control and prevent cervical cancer depends to a
great extent on the level of awareness of the potential
beneficiaries. Therefore, this study is conducted with the aim
to gather information regarding the knowledge, attitude and
practice of cervical cancer screening among students of the
University of Calabar.
Purpose of the Study: The purpose of this study is to
investigate the knowledge, attitude and practice of cervical
cancer screening among female students in University of
Calabar (UNICAL), Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria.
Specific Objectives: The specific objectives of the study were
to:
Ascertain the level of knowledge of cervical cancer
screening services among female students in
University of Calabar (UNICAL), Calabar.
Identify the attitude of students towards cervical
cancer screening services in University of Calabar
(UNICAL), Calabar.
Assess the practices of screening services among
female students in University of Calabar (UNICAL),
Calabar.
Research Hypotheses: There is no significant relationship
between level of knowledge and attitude of female students
towards cervical cancer screening services in University of
Calabar, Calabar. There is no significant relationship between
the year of study and practice of cervical cancer screening
among female students in University of Calabar, Calabar.
EMPIRICAL REVIEW
Knowledge Level of Cervical Cancer/Screening Services: It
has been noted that some women lack knowledge about Pap
smear tests and its indications. Many women do not have a
clear understanding of the meaning of an abnormal smear or
the concept of pre-cancerous changes and many believe that
the purpose of the Pap smear test is to detect cancer (Ojong,
Etim and Samson-Akpan 2013). An assessment of women’s
knowledge of cervical screening was considered important as
up to 92% of those dying from this form of cancer have never
been tested (Adefuye, 2012). Duncan (2010) in his study to
examine the level of knowledge about cervical cancer, its risk
factors and preventive service available among German
women, only 3.2% knew Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) as a
risk factor and 69.9% of the women considered themselves
insufficiently informed on the issue. This view was also
documented in various other studies carried out worldwide. It
was also discovered by Campbell, Adu, and Danwatta (2014) that
majority of respondent in the study conducted by them (68%)
did not know what a cervical smear was. Some who had
awareness did not know what it was for and were not
interested in undergoing a cervical smear because of some
seemingly more pressing issue.
Hakama, Joutsenlahti and Virtaren (2011) revealed in their
research work that limited knowledge among women of low
socio-economic status and the reasons for the limited
knowledge included-cultural norms, secrecy, provider not
informing the public and policy maker’s limited attention of
cervical cancer. Likewise, Mandelblatt, Fans and Garibalo
(2010) discovered in a study by that just 15% of women
between 20 and 65 years of age who attended outpatient clinics
at UCTH, Ibadan in 2003 heard of cervical screening while
85% never heard of it. According to a study by Hakulinen,
Hanshuwka and Lopez (2012) carried out at Regina Mundy
Health Centre, Lagos, results showed that 15.82% of the 196
respondents were aware of cervical screening, 26.02% were
aware of cervical cancer and 6.63% had never heard of
cervical cancer screening. Ofori, Ebu, John and Siakwa (2013)
from their study conducted in Ghana, results, showed that
83.0% participants had good knowledge of cervical cancer
only 77% had knowledge of cervical cancer screening
services, although 89% respondents correctly identified human
papilloma virus as being associated with cervical cancer.
Attitude towards Cervical Cancer Screening Services: In a
study carried out by Matin and Le Baron (2014) on the attitudes
toward cervical cancer screening among Muslim immigrant
women in the San Francisco Bay area through focus groups.
Participants were from Middle Eastern backgrounds. Women
mentioned that their religion and culture such, as the value of
virginity for unmarried women, made them concerned about how
the Pap smear might affect this. The participants pointed out that
doctor were not sensitive to cultural differences on this topic.
Ferley et al (2010) in their study on knowledge, attitude and
practice of cervical cancer screening revealed that despite the good
knowledge possessed by respondents, only 35.5% of respondents
had positive attitude towards cervical cancer screening. Bakheit
and Bu Haroon (2011) studied the knowledge, attitudes and
practice of Pap smears using a detailed questionnaire, among local
school teachers in United Arab Emirates. Participants were 350
married female teachers from 18 schools in Sharjah city in United
Arab Emirates, ranging from 20-59 years. Eighty-four percent had
a good knowledge about cervical cancer screening, but the
25385 Ojong Idang Neji, Nsemo Alberta David and Eno Esther John, Knowledge, attitude and practice of cervical cancer
screening among female students in tertiary institution in calabar
majority of them had never had a Pap smear test done. The reasons
for not having the test were fear, embarrassment and shyness due
to cultural influences. Similarly, Maaita and Barakat (2012)
studied attitudes towards cervical cancer screening among
Jordanian women. They had 600 participants who were all women
aged between 20 and 40 years old. Forty –three percent of those
women had a college degree. Researchers found that 75% had
never had a Pap smear although a majority agreed it was
important. Seventy-seven percent did not know about cervical
cancer risk factors. As for the reasons for not having the test done,
the women mentioned fear, embarrassment and belief that it was
unnecessary.
Practice of Cervical Cancer: In a study carried out on
knowledge, attitude and practice towards cervical cancer
among reproductive health clients at the University of Science
and Technology Hospital-Sana'a in Yemen, it was discovered
that 7% of participants had performed a Pap smear test which
coincides with the study conducted in South Africa (9.8%) and
less than a similar study (40%) in United Arab Emirates (Urasa
and Darj, 2011). Ezeriogbo and Uche (2012) in their work on
knowledge, attitude and practice of cervical cancer screening
among secondary school teachers in Enugu state showed that,
despite their year of study, only 13.4% practiced cervical cancer
screening.
The major findings in a study in Nigeria by Gharoro and Ikeanyi
(2012) among female health workers showed that their practice of
cervical cancer screening was very low and there was a wide gap
between their personal knowledge and uptake of cervical cancer
screening. This was unexpected as this population of women is
required to be better informed about the high risk factors of
developing cervical cancer. The behavior of these female health
workers appears to be predicted by complex socio- cultural beliefs
where women hardly reveal their personal medical details
especially in a polygamous setting and superstition and
inappropriate belief were the commonest excuse for not practicing
cervical cancer screening. Similar picture as above have been
observed also in Uganda where only 19% of their female health
workers have ever had a cervical cancer screening and reasons for
this included not feeling at risk, lack of symptoms, carelessness,
fear of vaginal examinations, lack of interest and test being
unpleasant. It is unlikely that these medical workers would feel
motivated to screen others or advise them accordingly (Mutyaba,
Mmiro, and Weiderpass, 2013). In America, the question they
are trying to answer is how to reach those women who do not get
pap smear teats. The answer is most likely a complicated mixture
of many factors, including limited or sporadic access to health care
and cultural attitudes that are fatalistic toward diseases such as
cancer (Cracchiolo and Leitao, 2014). The Australian Institute of
health report entitled “Cervical cancer screening in Australia –
Options for change” found that 15% of Australian women have
never had a pap smear test; around 50% have had a pap smear test
within past 2 years and 60% within the past 3 years but many
groups of women who should be tested have not been taking
advantage of the screening program.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Research Design : The research design adopted for this study
was the descriptive survey design used to determine the
knowledge, attitude and practice of cervical cancer screening
among female students of University of Calabar (UNICAL),
Calabar.
Research Setting: The setting for this study is University of
Calabar. It was founded in the year 1975. It is located in
Calabar, the Capital of Cross River State. The site for the study
is the Department of Nursing Science. The Department of
Nursing Science is under the Faculty of Allied Medical
Science and was established on the 12th of March, 1994. The
Department of Nursing as at 2017/2018 academic session has
five hundred and forty eight (548) number of students.
Target Population: The target population of the study are the
female students in year 3 class, year 4 class and year 5 class in
the Department of Nursing Science with a population of 95
students, 100 students and 105 students respectively making it
a total of 310 student.
Sample and Sampling Technique: The researcher adopted
stratified and simple random sampling technique. The
stratified random sampling enabled the researcher to stratify
the students of UNICAL into three (3) strata: Year 3 (95
students), Year 4 (100 students) and Year 5 (105 students).
The researcher went through a register of each of the above
mentioned year of study, and from each of the registers, every
second (2nd) name was picked and served with a copy of the
questionnaire. The sample size of 171 using Taro Yamane’s
sample size estimation.
Instrument for Data Collection: A self-developed and
structured questionnaire was used to elicit information from
the respondents.
Scoring of Items: A knowledge score for each of the
respondents was obtained by adding up the scores for correct
answers over to questions under section B on the
questionnaire. A score less than 50 indicates poor knowledge,
while a score above 50 indicates good knowledge. For scoring
of attitude, a mean score for any responses greater than 2.97
being the total weighted mean score for all questions in section
C of the questionnaire indicates favourable attitude
Reliability of the Instrumentation: The reliability was done
using test-retest method. The tests were correlated using
Pearson’s Product Moment Coefficient and a reliability
coefficient of 0.68 was obtained
Data Analysis Procedures: The data collected was analyzed
using percentages and frequencies, while the hypothesis was
tested using the chi-square distribution.
Ethical Consideration: Permission to carry out the study was
obtained from the department and the research committee from
the institution, Written and verbal permission was obtain from
the students who were willing to participate in the study.
Confidentiality and anonymity was assured
DATA ANALYSIS AND RESULT PRESENTATIONS
Results for Research Questions: This sections deals with
answering of the research questions directing the study. The
data are presented in tables using simple percentages.
Research question one: What is the level of knowledge of
cervical cancer screening services among female students of
University of Calabar?
25386 International Journal of Development Research, Vol. 09, Issue, 01, pp.25384-25390, January, 2019
Table 1. Socio-demographic data of the respondents (n=171)
Variables Frequency Age Range Percentage (%)
89
58
16 9.36
8 4.68
Total 171
Christian 168 98.25
Muslim - -
Traditional 3 1.75
171 100
Single 147 85.96
Married 24 14.04
Divorced - -
Total 171 100
Year 3 45 26.32
Year 4 54 31.58
Year 5 72 42.11
Total 171 100
Table 1A. Results of knowledge of cervical cancer screening among female students
Variables Frequency
Yes No
I have heard of cervical cancer screening 166 (97.08%) 5 (2.92%)
Cervical cancer screening is necessary for early detection and prevention of cervical cancer 159 (92.98%) 12 (7.02%)
Pap’s smear cytology and visual inspection of the cervix are forms of cervical screening services 145 (84.80%) 26 (15.20%)
Cervical screening should be done every 3 years 152 (88.89%) 19 (11.11%)
Human papillomavirus and other sexually transmitted diseases accelerates the progression of cervical cancer 124 (72.57%) 47 (27.49%)
Primary prevention of cervical cancer is by life style changes and human papillomavirus vaccination 112 (65.50%) 59 (34.50%)
Table 1A. Summary of respondents knowledge of cervical cancer screening among female
students in University of Calabar n-171
Statements Frequency Percentage (%)
Good knowledge 143 83.6
Poor knowledge 28 16.3
Total 171 100%
Table 2A. Attitude of students towards cervical cancer screening in UNICAL n-171
ITEMS SA A D SD Weighted mean
score (w
x
)
Total weighted
mean score x
T
w
I feel cervical cancer screening is necessary for all female students 100
(58.5)
47
(27.5)
16
(9.4)
8
(4.6)
3.39
I hate cervical cancer screening because it is unpleasant and
embarrassing
26
(15.2)
20
(11.7)
60
(35.1)
65
(38.0)
2.04
2.97
I feel the girl child should be timely vaccinated against human
papillomavirus infection before onset of sexual activity.
110
(64.37)
30
(17.5)
20
(11.7)
11
(6.5)
3.39
I prefer cervical cancer screening because it prevents cancer and
provide cure if detected early
70
(40.9)
61
(35.7)
20
(11.7)
20
(11.7)
3.06
Table 3. Practice of cervical cancer screening among female students in University of Calabar
Statement Frequency
Yes No
I have had a cervical cancer screening test done on me 25 (14.6%) 146 (85.4%)
I have been vaccinated against human papillomavirus infection 5 (2.9%) 166 (97.1%)
The technique I used for cervical cancer screening test was visual inspection of the cervix with acetic acid. 20 (11.7%) 151 (88.3%)
Table 4. Contingency chi-square analysis showing the association between female students knowledge and
attitude towards cervical cancer screening services
Knowledge of cervical cancer
screening services
Attitude towards cervical cancer screening services Total df X
2
calculated X
2
critical
Favourable Non-favourable
Good knowledge 96
97
47
46
143
2
0.67
5.991
Poor knowledge 20
19
116
8
9
55
28
171
25387 Ojong Idang Neji, Nsemo Alberta David and Eno Esther John, Knowledge, attitude and practice of cervical cancer
screening among female students in tertiary institution in calabar
The result in table 2 shows that 166 students (97.08%) said
they have heard of cervical cancer screening while 5 students
(2.92%) have never heard of cervical cancer screening.159
students (92.98%) said cervical cancer screening is necessary
for early detection and prevention of cervical cancer, while 12
students (7.02%) do not know that cervical cancer early
detection and prevention of cervical cancer. Also, 145 students
(84.80%) said that pap’s smear cytology and visual inspection
of the cervix are forms of cervical screening services while 26
students (15.25%) were not aware. Consequently, 152 students
(88.89%) said cervical screening should be done every 3 years
while 19 student (11.11%) did not attest to it. 124 students
(72.51%) said that human papillomavirus diseases accelerates
the progression of cervical cancer while 47 students (27.49%)
did not. Finally, 112 students (65.50%) said that primary
prevention of cervical cancer is by life style changes and
human papillomavirus vaccination while 59 students (34.50%)
had a negative view. Table 2B shows that 143(83.6%) of
female students in Department of Nursing Science, University
of Calabar had good knowledge of cervical cancer screening
services, while 28(6.4%) of students had poor knowledge of
cervical cancer screening services. This calls for intensive
awareness campaign services on cervical cancer screening
services for female nursing students in University of Calabar.
Research question two: What is the attitude of students
towards cervical cancer screening in University of Calabar. To
answer this questions, items 11-14 on the section c of the
questionnaire was used. Table 2A shows respondents options
on attitude of female students in University of Calabar towards
cervical cancer screening. 100 (58.5%) and 47 (27.8%)
respondents strongly agreed and agreed that they feel that
cervical cancer screening is necessary in University of
Calabar, while 16(9.4%) and 8(4.6%) respondents disagreed
and strongly disagreed to that option. Similarly, 26(15.2%) and
20(11.7%) respondents strongly agreed and agreed that they
hate cervical cancer screening services because it is unpleasant
and embarrassing while 60(35.1%) and 65 (38.0%) disagreed
and strongly disagreed to that option. 110 (64.3%) and
30(17.5%) respondents strongly agreed and agreed that they
feel that the child should timely be vaccinated against human
papillomavirus infections before onset of sexual activities
while 20(11.7%) and 11(6.5%) disagreed and strongly
disagreed. On preference to cervical cancer screening services
for preventing and treatment of cancers if detected early,
70(40.9%) and 61(35.7%) respondents strongly agreed and
agreed while 20 (11. 7%) disagreed and 20(11.7%)
respondents strongly disagreed to the option.
Summary of female students attitude towards cervical
screening services in University of Calabar: From the result
in Table 3, it revealed that the respondents exhibited positive
attitude towards cervical cancer screening services, such that;
3 out of 4 items on the questionnaire had weighted mean
scores of 3.40, 3,40 and 3.06 which was greater than the
overall mean score of (2.97).
Research question three: What are the practices of screening
services among female students in the University of Calabar?
Table 3 shows that out of the 171 students used for the study ,
only 25(14.6%) respondents have had cervical cancer
screening services done on them while 146(85.4%) have not
done. Out of the 25 students that have had cervical cancer
screening test, 5(2.9%) were vaccinated against human
papillomavirus cervical cancer screening test done with visual
inspection of the cervix with acetic acid.
The percentage of female students that have not practiced
cancer screening test in University of Calabar is poor. This
calls for awareness creation and health education to be carried
out by health care providers on cervical cancer screening
services for female students in University of Calabar, Calabar
HYPOTHESIS TESTING
Ho1: There is no significant relationship between level of
knowledge and attitude towards cervical cancer screening
services among female students in University of Calabar
Not significant at 0.05 level of significance, x2 calculated 0.67,
x2 critical 5.991, df = 2
Decision rule
If x2 cal > x2 tab, reject Ho; otherwise accept
The result from Table 4 above showed a non-statistical
influence of knowledge on attitude towards cervical cancer
screening services among female students in University of
Calabar, Calabar. When the chi-square calculated of 0.67 was
lesser than then x2 tabulated of 5.991 with 2 degree of freedom
needed at 0.05 level of significance. With this result, the null
hypothesis was upheld meaning, there is no significant
influence of knowledge of cervical cancer screening and
attitude towards cervical cancer screening among female
students in University of Calabar.
HYPOTHESIS TWO
There is no significant relationship between the year of study
and the students practice of cervical cancer screening in
University of Calabar Thus, from the results obtained in table
5 it showed that the x2-caculated value is approximately 0.058,
not significant at 0.05 level of significance with 2 degree of
freedom, x2 critical is 5.991.
The result in table 5 revealed that the x2 critical of 5.991 with 2
degree of freedom was greater than the chi-square x2
calculated of 0.058 at 0.05 level of significance. With this
result, the null hypothesis was upheld, meaning, there is no
significant association between the year of study and practice
of cervical cancer screening services among female students in
University of Calabar, Calabar
Table 5. Contingency chi-square analysis showing relationship between year of study and practice of cervical cancer screening
Year of study Practice of cervical cancer screening services Total df X
2
calculated X
2
critical
Practiced cervical cancer Not practiced cervical cancer
3 7(6.6%) 38(38.5%) 45 2 0.058 5.991
4 8(7.9%) 46(46.1%) 54
5 10(10.5%) 62(61.5%) 72
Total 25 146 171
25388 International Journal of Development Research, Vol. 09, Issue, 01, pp.25384-25390, January, 2019
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Research question one: The study revealed that majority of
the respondents had good knowledge of cervical cancer
screening. This result is in line with the view of Adefuna
(2012) which revealed , large number of their respondents
knew that cervical cancer could be detected early by a
screening test. The result is also in line with the view of Ofori
et al (2013) who stated that knowledge of cervical cancer
screening is high, but the respondents knowledge of cervical
cancer screening may not translate into the utilization of
screening services for a variety of reasons. The findings in this
study is in contrast with that of Ojong, Mgbekem and Uka
(2016) which showed that only few persons knew of the risk
factor, while majority of respondents considered themselves as
insufficiently informed about cervical cancer screening.
Research question two: The findings from the study revealed
that most students had positive attitude towards cervical cancer
screening. The high rate of positive attitude is attributed to
educational background of the respondents. The result of this
study is in contrast to other works sited in this study.
According to Maaita and Barakat (2012) it revealed that most
participants said that the reasons for not participating in
cervical cancer screening were fear, embarrassment and belief
that it was unnecessary
Research question three: This study revealed that only few
respondents have ever practiced cervical cancer screening.
This showed that only few students have had a cervical cancer
screening test done. This result is in line with view of Urasa
and Dary (2011) which revealed that only a few participants
have had a cervical cancer screening. The finding is also in
conformity with the view of Gharoro and Ikeanyi(2012),
whose study was carried out in Nigeria among female health
workers. It revealed that their practice of cervical cancer
screening was very low and that there was a wide variation
between their personal knowledge and uptake of cervical
cancer screening. The study is in contrast to that of the
findings of the Australian Institute of health report, which
revealed that majority of the respondents have had a PAP
smear test done on them.
HYPOTHESIS TESTING
The findings in this study showed x2 calculated to be lesser
than x2 critical. Thus, the null hypothesis of no significant
relationship between knowledge and attitude towards cervical
cancer is thereby accepted. This means that the knowledge of
students does not necessarily have influence on their attitude.
This result is in line with the view of Hakana, (2011) where
they said knowledge does not translate into positive attitude
because some factors like cultural traditions and beliefs must
be supplemented positively by new knowledge. The findings
in this study showed x2-calculated to be lesser than x2 critical.
Thus, the null hypothesis of no significant relationship
between the year of study and practice of cervical cancer
screening was thereby accepted. This can be attributed to the
fact that there is insufficient facility for the provision of this
services, and also the cost of this services are often high. This
is in line with the view of Ezeriogbo et al., (2012) whose work
on knowledge, attitude and practice of cervical cancer
screening among secondary school teacher in Enugu state
showed a non-significant relationship between the teacher’s
year of study and their practice of cervical cancer screening.
Conclusion
Based on researcher findings, it can be concluded that; female
students in the University have adequate knowledge about
cervical cancer, its screening and the risk factors associated
with the development of cervical cancer. It revealed a
favourable attitude towards screening services but a low level
of practice among the students. These findings suggest a need
for continuous cancer awareness campaigns on screening for
cervical cancer and also the national health insurance scheme
should be strengthened to increase access of the entire women
folk to screening, services women folk to screening, services
in health centres as this will help to reduce the burden of
cervical cancer in the country.
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