Awareness and uptake of cervical cancer screening services among female nurses in a low-resource setting: a cross-sectional study

Samuel O. Ilikannu; Chiamaka P. Uzoka; Zaccheus O. Oyewumi; Sunday E. Jombo; Nnamdi P. Okoye; Ngozi R. Maduka; Gabriel Dogbanya; Nwabunor P. Osifo; Sylvia I. Obu; Geraldine I. Uzoma; Nnaedozie P. Obiegbu; Manna N. Onunkwo; Francis A. Weyinmi; Ngozi E. Ezunu; Chikodili O. Ilikannu; Chiagozie Dan-Nwankwo; Chidinma Onwuasoeze; Ikechukwu Obua; Precious N. Agenu; Olabiyi H. Olaniran

doi:10.18203/2320-1770.ijrcog20260167

Authors

Samuel O. Ilikannu Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Federal Medical Centre, Asaba, Delta State, Nigeria
Chiamaka P. Uzoka Department of Nursing Science, Federal Medical Centre, Asaba, Delta State, Nigeria; Department of Nursing Science, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Oyo State, Nigeria
Zaccheus O. Oyewumi Department of Nursing Science, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Oyo State, Nigeria
Sunday E. Jombo Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Federal Medical Centre, Asaba, Delta State, Nigeria
Nnamdi P. Okoye Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Federal Medical Centre, Asaba, Delta State, Nigeria
Ngozi R. Maduka Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Central Hospital Agbor, Delta State, Nigeria
Gabriel Dogbanya Department of Family Science, University of Maryland, United States of America
Nwabunor P. Osifo Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Federal Medical Centre, Asaba, Delta State, Nigeria
Sylvia I. Obu Molecular/Research Laboratory, Centre for Communicable Disease Control and Research, Federal Medical Centre, Asaba, Delta State, Nigeria
Geraldine I. Uzoma Department of Family Medicine, Federal Medical Centre, Asaba, Delta State, Nigeria
Nnaedozie P. Obiegbu Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, Anambra State, Nigeria
Manna N. Onunkwo Royal Society for Public Health, United Kingdom
Francis A. Weyinmi Department of Reproductive Health, Ministry of Health, Delta State, Nigeria
Ngozi E. Ezunu Department of Nursing Science, Federal Medical Centre, Asaba, Delta State, Nigeria
Chikodili O. Ilikannu Department of Health System Management, School of Public Health, University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria
Chiagozie Dan-Nwankwo Alberta Health Services, Alberta, Canada
Chidinma Onwuasoeze Leeds Teaching Hospital, Leeds, United Kingdom
Ikechukwu Obua Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Federal Medical Centre, Asaba, Delta State, Nigeria
Precious N. Agenu Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Federal Medical Centre, Asaba, Delta State, Nigeria
Olabiyi H. Olaniran Vascular and Endovascular Surgery Department, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Centre, Harvard Medical School Teaching Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2320-1770.ijrcog20260167

Keywords:

Awareness, Cervical Cancer, Female nurses, Screening, Uptake

Abstract

Background: Despite the high burden of cervical cancer in Nigeria, the uptake of screening services has remained poor even among healthcare workers. This study aimed to determine the awareness, uptake and factors influencing the uptake of cervical cancer screening among female nurses in Federal Medical Centre Asaba.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted between 1^st October and 31^st October 2023 amongst 247 consenting female nurses at FMC Asaba using semi-structured, self-administered questionnaires with 205 correctly filled forms retrieved from the study participants. Data were analysed using SPSS 26 with a p value <0.05 considered significant.

Results: About 96.6% of female nurses were aware of screening for cervical cancer. However, only 28.9% of these nurses have been screened at least once for cervical cancer despite being aware of the availability of such screening modality at their workplace. Poor knowledge, fear of complications, cost of screening and lack of spare time, were some of the identified factors limiting the uptake of cervical cancer screening. There was also a significant association between the level of education and uptake of cervical cancer screening.

Conclusions: This study revealed a low uptake rate of cervical cancer screening among Nurses who should help in the dissemination of the cervical cancer message. These findings are an eye opener for Government at all levels, policy makers, hospital managements and professional bodies.

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