Knowledge and attitude towards cervical cancer prevention strategies among female undergraduate students in a private university in Nigeria

Abstract

Objective: Cervical cancer has been a significant public health issue, mostly in developing countries. It is the fourth most common cancer among women globally, with its contribution to the cancer burden, significant across all cultures and economies. Most cervical cancer cases are diagnosed late leading to poor outcomes, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa and other low- and middle-income countries. So, this study aimed to assess the knowledge and attitude towards cervical cancer prevention strategies.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study among undergraduate female students at Babcock University. A self-administered questionnaire was used for data collection from 255 respondents selected using a multistage sampling method. Data was entered and analysed using IBM SPSS version 23. Chi-square and logistic regression were done.

Results: More than half (56.1%) of respondents had good knowledge, while 62.7% had a favourable attitude towards cervical cancer prevention strategies. However, only 26.7% and 36.1% of the respondents had received the HPV vaccine and screened for cervical cancer, respectively. The reasons for the poor uptake of the screening services were no time to go for screening and a lack of awareness of screening centres. Factors associated with acceptance of cervical cancer screening were knowledge (OR= 15; 95% CI 0.149 -0.524; p=0.0001), and having received the HPV vaccine in the past (OR=29; 95% CI 3.151-1.654; p=0.0001).

Conclusion: There is an urgent need to improve the knowledge and attitude of female undergraduate students towards cervical cancer prevention strategies to achieve the elimination of the disease.