Awareness of Cervical Cancer and Cervical Cancer Screening Programmes in Ilorin, Nigeria

Cervical cancer is a malignant neoplasm of the cervix uteri or cervical area. Cervical cancer screening tests are tests carried out to find cervical changes that may lead to cervical cancer. Cervical cancer is the second commonest cancer in women worldwide and is nearly as common as breast cancer . It is one of the commonest cancers of Nigerian women. The prevention of cervical carcinoma relies on population screening for the early detection and appropriate management of its precursor lesions; cervical intraepithelial neoplasia. The objective of this study is to assess the level of awareness of occurrence of cervical cancer and availability of cervical cancer screening facilities in Ilorin, Nigeria. Two hundred (200) respondents were assessed with the use of questionnaires and the areas (Ilorin environs) covered include: Queen Elizabeth Secondary School, Kuntu, Agbo-Oba, Adabata, Okelele, Gaa-Akanbi, Ojatuntun, Adeta, Saw-mill, Asa-Dam Road, Ibrahim Taiwo Road, Oke-Oyi and Malete. Data analysis was performed using Chi-square test and significance level was set at 5% (p < 0.05). Only 44.5% (89) of the respondents were aware of cervical cancer and 19.5% (39) were aware of cervical cancer screening tests. The awareness of cervical cancer and its screening tests were low in this study and these could be attributed to poor publicity, low level of education and occupation of the respondents. There is a statistical significant relationship between the level of education and occupation with the awareness of both cervical cancer and cervical cancer screening programmes. There is, therefore, the need for concerted efforts by relevant agents in the society to improve the awareness of cervical cancer and cervical cancer screening in Ilorin.

Key Words: cervical cancer; cervical cancer screening facilities; level of awareness; Ilorin environs