Original Research Article
Year: 2019 | Month: May | Volume: 9 | Issue: 5 | Pages: 279-287
Knowledge, Attitude and Preventive Practices of Community Dwelling Female Adults towards Cervical Cancer in Enugu State
Ezema Charles Ikechukwu1, Uchenwoke Chigozie Ikenna1, Onwuka Chiamaka Anthonia1, Aneke Charity Ndidiamaka2, Okemuo Adaora Justina1, Uduonu Ekezie Mmanwanne1
1Department of Medical Rehabilitation, Faculty of Health Sciences and Technology, College of Medicine, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus.
2Department of Physiotherapy, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Ituku Ozalla, Enugu State.
Corresponding Author: Uchenwoke Chigozie Ikenna
ABSTRACT
Background: Cervical cancer is one of the most common cancers especially in developing countries today.
Objective: This study sought to ascertain the knowledge, attitude and preventive practices of community dwelling female adults towards cervical cancer in Enugu State, South-east, Nigeria.
Methods: The study was a cross-sectional survey involving a total sample of 400 respondents living in Enugu State. Random sampling technique was used to select six Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Enugu State, while convenient sampling was employed in selecting the respondents. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data from the respondents by direct contact method. The participants were recruited from major markets and motor parks in the LGAs. The data were subjected to descriptive statistics and analyzed using Chi-square test. The alpha level of significance was 0.05 at 95 percent confident interval.
Results: Out of the 400 respondents 66% have heard of cervical cancer, while 34% had not. Among those that have heard about cervical cancer 67.8% had poor knowledge, 27.7% had fair knowledge, while 4.5% had excellent knowledge; 92% had positive attitude towards cancer, while 8% had negative attitude; 98.8% had poor preventive practice, 0.8% fair preventive practice, while 0.4% had excellent preventive practice. News media was the commonest source of information (48.5%). There was no significant relationship (p < 0.05) between the respondents’ knowledge and attitude, but there was a significant relationship between knowledge and preventive practice (p < 0.05).
Conclusion: Though the attitude of the respondents towards cervical cancer was positive, their knowledge of cervical cancer and preventive practices was poor. There is need for effective awareness of cervical cancer education among females in Enugu State and South-east Nigeria in general on cervical cancer.
Key words: knowledge, attitude, preventive practice, cervical cancer.