AWARENESS AND PRACTICE OF CERVICAL CANCER SCREENING AMONG UNIVERSITY OF JOS FEMALE UNDERGRADUATES

Several researchers have reported on cervical cancer screening. The screening influences the incidence and prognosis of cervical cancer. The knowledge of people on this screening have been said to influence practice. This research therefore sorts to assess the knowledge and practice of the student population in the University of Jos. A sample size of 120 was selected from the population of study. A descriptive survey design was used to assess the knowledge and practice of respondents and the findings were illustrated and interpreted using descriptive and inferential statistics. The researchers among other findings found out that only 33.04% have ever heard of Pap smear, among which only about 55.10% related it cervical cancer. Only 7.89% knew the recommended age for the screening and only 10.53% were aware of the frequency. Among the respondents only 13.91% have ever done Pap smear, with a whopping 78.26% saying they have never done the test. Out of those who have ever done the test only 25% had done it more than once. The relationship between knowledge and practice was significant, indicating that knowledge influenced practice

ASSESSMENT OF KNOWLEDGE OF AND ATTITUDES TOWARDS CERVICAL CANCER SCREENING AMONG UNIVERSITY OF JOS FEMALE UNDERGRADUATES

Cervical cancer screening has been reported by several researchers to influence the incidence and prognosis of cancer. The knowledge of people towards this screening have been said to influence attitudes towards practice. The researchers therefore sort to assess the knowledge and attitudes of the student population in the University of Jos. A sample size of 120 was selected from the population of study. A descriptive survey design was used to assess the knowledge and attitudes of respondents and the findings were illustrated and interpreted using descriptive and inferential statistics. The researchers among other findings found out that only 33.04% have ever heard of Pap smear, among which only about 55.10% related it cervical cancer. Only 7.89% knew the recommended age for the screening and only 10.53% were aware of the frequency. About 53.04% felt that the test is relevant to them. Also 50.50% intend to do the test. About 63.63% said lack of knowledge about the test is the reason for not practicing Pap smear. The findings indicate that even though the respondents’ knowledge was grossly inadequate, the respondents showed positive attitudes towards the test. The relationship between knowledge and attitude was significant, indicating that their knowledge did influence their attitude towards cervical cancer screening