Perception and Practice of Cervical Cancer Screening Services and the Role of Social Workers in Facilitating Screening Uptake in Enugu State, Nigeria

Asian Pac J Cancer Prev. 2022 Jul 1;23(7):2271-2277. doi: 10.31557/APJCP.2022.23.7.2271.

Abstract

Objective: We examined the perception and practice of cervical cancer screening among women in Enugu State, Nigeria.

Methods: We employed mixed methods and conveniently sampled women aged >15 years. The quantitative data were subjected to chi-square and regression analysis while the qualitative data were analyzed using thematic analysis.

Results: The study findings show that over 57% of the respondents have a positive perception of cervical cancer screening while over 80% revealed that they practice cervical cancer screening. Factors such as education, income, and residence are significant in predicting the practice of cervical cancer screening.

Conclusion: Therefore, social work strategies to leverage these modifiable predictors in facilitating cervical screening uptake are recommended.

Keywords: Nigeria; Social work; Women' s health; cancer; screening services.

MeSH terms

  • Early Detection of Cancer* / methods
  • Female
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
  • Humans
  • Mass Screening / methods
  • Nigeria
  • Perception
  • Social Workers
  • Uterine Cervical Neoplasms* / diagnosis
  • Uterine Cervical Neoplasms* / epidemiology
  • Uterine Cervical Neoplasms* / prevention & control