Assessment of Knowledge and Awareness of Cervical Cancer Among Women of Reproductive Age in Kaga Local Government Area, Borno State, Nigeria

Abstract

Purpose: Incidences of cervical cancer have assumed alarming proportions among women of reproductive age in developing countries. It is a grave concern because it is an easily detectable and preventable disease. More concerning also is the high mortality rate associated with this condition. This study sought to investigate the level of knowledge and awareness of cervical cancer among women of reproductive age in Kaga Local government area of Borno state, Nigeria. The study also investigated the knowledge of signs and symptoms, and knowledge of preventive methods.

Methodology: It is a descriptive survey research type which investigated into the nature of trends and influences of variables upon one another as they interact. A well-structured questionnaire titled "Knowledge of Cervical Cancer Questionnaire" (KCCQ), consisting of 34 items was used as instrument for collecting data. It was adapted from the instruments of Abiodun, Fatungase, Olu-Abiodun, Idowu-Ajiboye, and Awosile (2013) and from the studies by Ziba, Baffoe, Dapare, Shittu, and Antuamwine (2015). The questionnaire consists of 5 sections, identified as A, B, C, D, and E. The items in Section B were used to elicit information on the knowledge and awareness about cervical cancer, screening, prevention, etc. The continuum used was a simple yes and no response. From an estimated population of 158,184, a sample of 400 respondents was chosen through a combination of purposive sampling and random sampling techniques. Four research questions and three hypotheses formulated and tested at 0.05 level of significance guided the study. Simple percentage and chi-square were used as tools for data analyses.

Findings: Findings of the study revealed that the general level of awareness of cervical cancer is low among the study group. Also, the study revealed that the level of knowledge of preventive measures and of risk factors was low.

Unique Contribution to Theory, Policy and Practice: It was recommended amongst others that, thorough health counseling and screening should be made compulsories for all women of reproductive age, and that, quality cancer screening center should be established in Kaga to foster early diagnosis and treatment to prevent complications that arises from cervical cancer.