Factors influencing cervical cancer prevention among health trainees in Kumasi, Ghana

Loading...
Thumbnail Image
Date
June, 2019
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
Background Cervical cancer is preventable by screening and vaccination, yet 740 women die daily from it. Globally, there are 569,847 new cases of cervical cancer with 311,365 deaths recorded annually. This study seeks to determine factors influencing cervical cancer prevention among trainee nurses and midwives in Kumasi. Methods A cross sectional study was conducted by administering a structured questionnaire to female trainee nurses and midwives of Kumasi Nursing and Midwifery Training College between August and November 2018. Descriptive and Inferential statistics were carried out using Stata Version 14.2 to determine if Knowledge about cervical cancer and HPV, sociodemographic factors had any influence on cervical cancer prevention. All statistical tests were performed using two-sided tests at 0.05 level of significance. Result Knowledge of cervical cancer was good as 87.3% scored (≥13) on a 0-26 item scale but only 17.2% were able to state all the four listed symptoms of cervical cancer and fewer (4.2%) were able to select all the five listed risk factors of cervical cancer. Out of the 341 students recruited, 13.2% had screened for cervical cancer and only 0.3 had vaccinated against HPV. Multivariable analysis found previous employment (P≤0.04; AOR, 3.46, CI, 1.08-11.03) and area of residence (P≤0.04; AOR, 2.25; CI, 1.03-4.94) were significant factors associated with screening for cervical cancer. Conclusion Good knowledge of cervical cancer did not translate to high proportion of screening and vaccination. Previous employment and area of residence were found to have influenced cervical cancer screening among students but none of the factors investigated was found to influence vaccination. Free national cervical cancer screening and vaccination programme should be a priority.
Description
A thesis submitted to the Department of Population, Family and Reproductive Health, College of Health Sciences, School of Public Health, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Public Health in Population and Reproductive Health.
Keywords
Cervical cancer, Prevention, Health trainees, Kumasi, Ghana
Citation