Cervical Cancer Screening Options for Female Tertiary Students and Attitude to National Primary Prevention Strategy in Bono and Ahafo Regions
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Date
November, 2019
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Abstract
Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer worldwide after breast cancer.
Every year, around 494,000 develop cervical cancer globally and almost 49.5%
(233,000) die from the disease annually with about 80% (376,000) in developing
countries. Little evidence exists on the extent of knowledge about cervical cancer
screening among female tertiary students in Bono and Ahafo regions.
The aim of the study was to assess knowledge, risk perceptions, level of accessibility
and intention or willingness to take cervical cancer screening among female tertiary
students in the Bono and Ahafo regions.
The study adopted a cross-sectional study design and a quantitative approach. A
cluster sampling technique was used to select 250 respondents for the study. Data was
collected using a structured questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics
with the help of STATA software v14.
The knowledge of cervical cancer among the female tertiary students was generally
average (48%) for signs and non-signs and 64% on risk factors, although 58% have
not heard about a preventive vaccine. Level of accessibility to cervical cancer was
low. 59.8% do not know where to get cervical cancer screening services, 62% do not
have accessibility to cervical cancer services and reproductive health facilities in the
regions under study. Also, on risk perception, 82% use condom as a means of
protection during sexual intercourse of which the majority 54.6% used condom to
prevent pregnancy. 50.6% do not belief they can get HPV from infected boyfriend.
The intention or willingness to take cervical cancer was influenced by perceived
susceptibility, perceived benefits, perceived barriers, perceived severity and cues to
action on development of cervical cancer of which 59% indicated they are not
susceptible, 60.3% indicated cost, lack of information and others personal barriers to
take the screening. Approximately 85% indicated high benefits in taking the screening
as it provides early detection and can save life. About 50% also indicated external
cues from significant others can influence their intention to take cervical cancer
screening.
Description
A dissertation submitted to the School of Public Health, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Public Health (Mph) in Health
Promotion and Education.
Keywords
Cervical cancer, Female