Knowledge, attitude, and willingness to undergo cervical cancer screening among female undergraduates in a southwestern tertiary institution

Adefala NO; Okoro NE; Nwankwo NV; Agu UO; Aigbavboa DO; Adeoti JV; Adesanya AZ; Florence AB

doi:10.61386/imj.v19i4.1365

Authors

Adefala NO Department of Community Medicine, Babcock University Teaching Hospital, Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State, Nigeria https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8752-5605
Okoro NE Department of Community Medicine, Babcock University Teaching Hospital, Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State, Nigeria https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5935-1129
Nwankwo NV Department of Community Medicine, Babcock University Teaching Hospital, Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State, Nigeria https://orcid.org/0009-0003-4971-3570
Agu UO Benjamin S Carson College of Health and Medical Sciences, Babcock University, Ogun State, Nigeria
Aigbavboa DO Benjamin S Carson College of Health and Medical Sciences, Babcock University, Ogun State, Nigeria
Adeoti JV Benjamin S Carson College of Health and Medical Sciences, Babcock University, Ogun State, Nigeria
Adesanya AZ Benjamin S Carson College of Health and Medical Sciences, Babcock University, Ogun State, Nigeria
Florence AB Benjamin S Carson College of Health and Medical Sciences, Babcock University, Ogun State, Nigeria

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.61386/imj.v19i4.1365

Keywords:

Knowledge, Attitude, Cervical cancer, Female undergraduates, Babcock University

Abstract

Context: Cervical cancer screening identifies alterations in cervical cells that may develop into cancer. Different literatures have explored the knowledge and attitude of female undergraduates to cervical cancer screening; only a few of these have been carried out in private tertiary institutions. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes and willingness to undergo cervical cancer screening among female undergraduates in a tertiary institution.

Materials and Methods: Using a multistage sampling technique, this cross-sectional study was conducted among 399 female undergraduates at Babcock University. A structured self-administered questionnaire was used. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS version 27.0. The level of significance was set at p<0.05. Relevant descriptive and inferential statistics were calculated. Results were presented in tables.

Result: The majority of respondents were 15-20 years (n=276, 69.2%) with a mean age of 19.1±22.3years. Most respondents were in the 4th academic year (n=95, 23.8%). Overall, 220 (55.1%) respondents had good knowledge, and 211 (52.9%) had poor attitude. While 47% (11.8%) and 217(54.4%) strongly agreed and agreed respectively, to undergo screening, 135 (33.8%) remained neutral. Presence of symptoms/risks was associated with willingness to undergo screening (p<0.01).

Conclusion: Respondents showed good knowledge of cervical cancer screening. The majority had a poor attitude despite generally favourable willingness to undergo screening. Public health policy and practice should focus on improving attitudes by integrating symptom-independent screening education into routine school health services.