Knowledge, attitude and practices related to prevention of cancer of the cervix among female health workers in Ibadan

Abstract

Cervical cancer, although largely preventable, remains a leading cause of cancer death in the developing world. The study was aimed at finding out the level of awareness of female health workers about cervical cancer and the level of utilisation of preventive measures. A 20-item questionnaire containing items on characteristics and knowledge of respondents on aetiology and prevention of cervical cancer was administered to a total of 205 female doctors, nurses and hospital maids in three hospitals within Ibadan metropolis. Knowledge about the condition was high among doctors, surprisingly inadequate among nurses and predictably poor among hospital maids (due possibly to lack of formal paramedical training). However, 93.2% of respondents have never had Pap smears performed. The poor utilisation of the test was independent of respondent's profession, marital status or hospital. Therefore, there is a need to intensify compaign towards prevention of cervical cancer even among health workers.