Knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding cervical cancer and screening among female nurses at Chunya District Hospital, Tanzania
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, St. Francis University College of Health and Allied Sciences Ifakara, Tanzania.
Research Article
Open Access Research Journal of Science and Technology, 2021, 03(01), 087–094.
Article DOI: 10.53022/oarjst.2021.3.1.0060
Publication history:
Received on 01 November 2021; revised on 14 December 2021; accepted on 16 December 2021
Abstract:
Background: Cervical cancer is a preventable and is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer in women worldwide. About 83% of the world′s new cases and 85% of all cervical cancer-related deaths occur in developing countries. However, lack of knowledge and awareness can result in underutilization of the preventive strategies. Healthcare professionals with adequate knowledge play a greater role in educating the general public on the belief and practices of the cancer of cervix. We assessed the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of cervical cancer and screening amongst female nurses at Chunya District Hospital, Mbeya, Tanzania.
Method: We conducted a cross-sectional study on female nurses at Chunya District Hospital, Mbeya, Tanzania. Data were collected using a predesigned and self –administered questionnaire. The questionnaire included specific sections to test the participant′s knowledge, attitude, and practices related to cervical cancer and screening. Data analysis was done using descriptive statistics.
Results: Data from 138 participants were included in the final analysis. The age of the participants was between 20-59 years. The majority of participants had good level knowledge of cervical cancer (in terms of risk factors, signs and symptoms, ways of prevention and ways of screening). All 138 (100.0%) participants knew that Pap smear test is a useful test for detection of cervical cancer and 127 (92.0%) had undergone Pap smear testing.
Conclusion: Our study population showed good knowledge of cervical cancer as a disease. The participants had a good knowledge of Pap smear testing and the majority had undergone testing themselves. This study highlights the need for formal educational programs to public to improve knowledge regarding the risk factors and early signs and symptoms of cervical cancer.
Keywords:
Knowledge; Attitudes; Practices; Screening; Cervical cancer
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Copyright © 2021 Author(s) retain the copyright of this article. This article is published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Liscense 4.0