OBSTACLES AND FACTORS INFLUENCING CERVICAL CANCER AWARENESS AND SCREENING AMONG HEALTH WORKERS IN THE SOUTH-SOUTH, NIGERIA

Ekine A. A*, Ibrahim I. A, Ikeanyi E and Jeremiah I

ABSTRACT

Background: Individual awareness of a disease condition such as cervical cancer is apparent in the fight against most of these avoidable states. Hence the use of VIA, Pap smear and colposcopy screening is of paramount importance. Objectives: To determine the level of awareness; factors associated with the poor utilsation of the methods of cervical cancer screening among the health workers in Bayelsa state, and Rivers State of Nigeria. Methods: A cross sectional study using questionnaires on 300 people in Bayelsa and Rivers State in 2013. The age bracket was between 18-65 years of age. Participants were randomly approached, instructed, and interviewed by trained medical staff of NDUTH and students from University of Port Harcourt UPTH. Data analysis was made by descriptive statistics. Results: 289 questionnaires were correctly completed, 207(71.60%) respondents had knowledge of cervical cancer, while 170(58.8%) of respondents are aware of cervical cancer screening. Only 81(28.0%) have had cervical screening done at least once. 153(52.9%) of the respondents are of the opinion that all sexually active woman be screened. More than half of the respondents agreed that screening could prevent the disease 174(60.2%), 181(62.6%) would prefer a free screening. Radio and television programs were the main source of information. Conclusively: Irrespective the size this study; we observed some degree of general overview and concepts of the nature of medical information among our people. It also serves as a supports to our experience in this part of the country where, almost all cervical cancer patients presents at late stage of the disease.

Keywords: Awareness, cervical cancer screening, Obstacles, South-South.