ORIGINAL: Cervical Cancer Knowledge, Risk Factors and Screening Practices among Women Residing in Urban Slums of Lagos, Southwest, Nigeria

West Afr J Med . 2022 Jun 24;39(6):595-602.

Abstract

Background: Cervical cancer is the second leading cause of female cancer deaths in Nigeria. Routine cervical cancer screening and early treatment can prevent up to 80% of cervical cancers. This study was carried out to assess the knowledge, risk factors and practice of cervical cancer screening among women residing in urban slums of Lagos, Nigeria.

Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out among 315 women aged 21-65 years in two slums in Lagos, Nigeria. A two-stage sampling method was used to select respondents. Data was collected using interviewer administered questionnaires. Analysis was done with IBM SPSS version 20.

Results: Only 3.2% had heard of cervical cancer. Most of the women did not know the symptoms (99.4%), or risk factors (99.7%) of cervical cancer, and 96.8% had not heard about cervical cancer screening. Forty-four percent of the respondents were between 21-30 years of age. Half of the respondents (51.4%) had only one lifetime sexual partner. Thirty-eight percent of the respondents had 3-4 children. About forty percent had their first childbirth at less than 20 years of age. Only 4.4% use tobacco. Only two respondents (0.6%) had undergone cervical cancer screening however, 93.3% of the respondents were willing to undergo cervical cancer screening. There was no significant association between socio-demographic factors, risk factors, and willingness to undergo cervical cancer screening.

Conclusion: Campaigns should be carried out by government and charitable organisations to increase the knowledge and practice of cervical cancer screening among women residing in slums

Authors

T Olubodun 1, M R Balogun 2, O I Olowoselu 1, V A Emina 1, U U Ugwuowo 1, O O Ogundele 3, M Kerry 1, T O Charles-Eronmosele 1, A B Olubodun 4