Factors influencing cervical cancer prevention among health trainees in Kumasi, Ghana
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Date
June, 2019
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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, socio demographic 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, Health trainees, Kumasi, Ghana