KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE, PRACTICE AND ACCEPTABILITY OF CERVICAL CANCER SCREENING AMONG WOMEN IN FCT, ABUJA: A STUDY OF WOMEN ATTENDING GYNECOLOGICAL CLINIC IN UATH, PHC DOBI AND TOWN CLINIC, GWAGWALADA AREA COUNCIL, FCT, ABUJA

G.I.A. Okoroiwu; N.I. Ubosi; N.Y. Sambo; Emmanuel Ifeanyi Obeagu

doi:10.22270/ujpr.v11i4.1625

G.I.A. Okoroiwu Department of Public Health Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, National Open University of Nigeria, Jabi, Abuja, Nigeria.
N.I. Ubosi Department of Public Health Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, National Open University of Nigeria, Jabi, Abuja, Nigeria.
N.Y. Sambo Department of Public Health Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, National Open University of Nigeria, Jabi, Abuja, Nigeria.
Emmanuel Ifeanyi Obeagu Department of Biomedical and Laboratory Science, Africa University, Mutare, Zimbabwe. Department of Molecular Medicine and Haematology, School of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.

10.22270/ujpr.v11i4.1625

Keywords:

attitude, cervical cancer, HPV, knowledge, screening, women

Abstract

Background and aims: Cervical cancer is the second most common cause of death from cancer among women in Nigeria. Various international studies indicate that the knowledge level of cervical cancer and its preventive measures are low among the women as well as general population. This study is aimed to assess the level of Knowledge, Attitude, Practice and Acceptability of cervical cancer screening among women in FCT, Abuja.

Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study design was used and data were collected from respondents using self-administered structured questionnaire. Socio-demographic data were collected from three hundred and fifty-seven (357) respondents whose ages range from 20 to 60⁺ years. The data collected was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), version 26.0.

Results: The result showed that the women had a good knowledge (90.0%) and a positive attitude (90.0%) with a poor practice (44.0%) of cervical cancer screening. The acceptability among the women was reasonably good (60.0%) and the most preventive measure against cervical cancer infection was Human Papilloma Virus vaccination before sexual debut (98.0%, p=0.001), followed by regular PAP smear test (92.0, p=0.003). Fear of diagnosis (p=0.032), embarrassment (p=0.021), financial constraints (p=0.001), stigma (p=0.001) and staff attitude (p=0.036) were the barriers to cervical cancer screening among the study population.

Conclusions: Study conclude that there is need for enlightenment campaign towards increasing the involvement of more women in participating in the cervical cancer screening programmes that will enable and encourage them to participate more in the screening exercises.

Peer Review History:

Received 3 June 2026; Reviewed 9 July 2026; Accepted 7 August; Available online 15 September 2026

Academic Editor: Dr. Ahmad Najib, Universitas Muslim Indonesia, Indonesia, [email protected]

Reviewers:

Dr. Peter Juma Ochieng, Biotech Research Center (BRC), Obuda University, Hungary, [email protected]

Dr. Owanaro Peter, Nigeria, Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmacy, Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa State, Nigeria. [email protected]