DR Knowledge of Cervical Cancer and Its Screening Amongst Female Students of a Tertiary Institution in South-South Nigeria

Background: Cervical cancer is one of the commonest cancers in women. It is the commonest cause of cancer related death in Africa. It is one of the cancers that have well known screening methods. In developed societies with standard protocol for screening, the morbidity and mortality following the disease have been greatly reduced. There is paucity of knowledge of cervical cancer and its screening methods in Yenagoa. Objectives: To determine the knowledge of cervical cancer and its screening methods in female students of a Tertiary educational institution. Methods: This was a cross-sectional descriptive study that was conducted amongst the female students of Federal University Otuoke. Information about their socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge of cervical cancer and the screening methods was obtained using a questionnaire. Results: A total of four hundred and twenty four (424) female students of the Federal University Otuoke were enrolled for the study. The mean age of the respondents was 21.0±3.4 years. The predominant age group was 15-20 years (50.6%). One hundred and eighty three respondents (57.9%) were aware of cervical cancer and the age groups 21-25 years were most aware of cervical cancer. Age was found to influence awareness of cervical cancer. (x2=12.8; df=3; p<0.05). A total of eighty one respondents 26.9% were aware of Pap smear. Age was found to influence the awareness of Pap smear (x2=12.8; df=3; p<0.05). Conclusion: Our study showed that awareness of cervical cancer and the role of Pap smear in the screening of cervical cancer was low amongst the female students of the Federal University Otuoke. Hence the need to make every effort to increase the awareness of this condition and the screening methods amongst these female undergraduates, who are at the prime of their age and at the greatest risk of developing this condition, especially in our societies that lack well organized screening protocols.

Download Full-text

Knowledge, attitude and practice of cervical cancer and its screening (Pap smear) among female students of Orotta College of medicine and health sciences

Women s Health ◽

10.15406/mojwh.2021.10.00288 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (3) ◽

pp. 51-61

Author(s):

Yohannes Mekonen ◽

Hermon Berhe ◽

Luam Ghebreab ◽

Elias Teages

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Cervical Cancer ◽

Cancer Screening ◽

Cervical Cancer Screening ◽

Pap Smear ◽

Care Delivery ◽

Health Sciences ◽

Female Students ◽

Screening Methods ◽

Cross Sectional

Background: Cervical cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide that affects developing countries and young women in particular. Out of many types of female cancers, cancer of the cervix could be prevented if appropriate medical interventions are taken on time. Pap smear is a means for early detection of premalignant stages and treatment before the disease advances to a late stage. However, its practice remains unsatisfactory in many countries including Eritrea. Objective: The aim of the study was to illustrate knowledge, attitude and level of cervical cancer and Pap smear practice and associated factors among female students of Orotta College of Medicine and Health sciences (OCMHS). Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among female undergraduate students in OCMHS enrolled during the academic year 2018-2019. A total of 252 students participated in the study. Piloted, structured questionnaire was used to collect data. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to assess the distribution and to identify associations between independent and outcome variables respectively. Results: Majority of the students, 171 (68.4%), were 18-21 years old and 159 (63.6%) were second and third year students. One hundred thirty six (54.4%) students had inadequate knowledge and one hundred twenty three (49.2%) had negative attitude towards cervical cancer screening. Only two (0.8%) participants had ever been screened with Pap smear test. Logistic regression analysis showed that age, level of education and year of study were significantly associated with knowledge of cervical cancer and its screening methods. Year of study and knowledge levels were significantly associated with attitude towards cervical cancer screening (Pap smear). Conclusions: The study showed that there is a lack of knowledge of cervical cancer, unfavorable attitude towards screening methods and poor utilization of Pap smear. The study emphasized the importance of creating awareness and increasing knowledge of cervical cancer and Pap smear through numerous health education campaigns and mass media. Hence, it will be vital to integrate cervical cancer preventive measures with other reproductive health care services at all, if not at the highest, levels of health care delivery system.

Download Full-text

Study on knowledge and practice of screening for cervical cancer among women from rural communities in central Kerala, India

International Journal of Reproduction Contraception Obstetrics and Gynecology ◽

10.18203/2320-1770.ijrcog20184146 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 7 (10) ◽

pp. 4165

Author(s):

Megha Jayaprakash ◽

Georgy Joy Eralil ◽

Rajany Jose ◽

Radha K. R. ◽

Vijilakshmi A. G. ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cervical Cancer ◽

Rural Communities ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Pap Smear ◽

Developed Countries ◽

Screening Methods ◽

Common Symptom ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Pap Screening ◽

Pap Smear Screening

Background: Early detection of cervical cancer is possible with Pap smear tests. The proportion of women who undergo Pap smear testing ranges from 68% to 84% in developed countries as compared to India where the rates range from 2.6% to 6.9% among women in communities. This study is to assess the knowledge of women about cervical cancer, its screening, role of doctor and source of information.Methods: Cross-sectional study – observational study of Women attending gynecology camps/op clinics held in rural areas of Ernakulam and Thrissur who are between 25 and 65 years of age Non-random sampling with Sequential inclusion of the women who met the study criteria. A questionnaire devised collecting Basic sociodemographic profile like age, parity, educational qualification, Questions to assess knowledge about symptoms of cervical cancer Questions to assess the knowledge about cervical cancer screening and prevention doctor as Source of knowledge from the subjects. Correct response for questions carried score of 1 mark. So, the maximum was 6 and minimum was 0. The knowledge was graded as: <2 being poor knowledge; 2-5 being satisfactory knowledge and ≥5 being good knowledge.Results: 32.9% of women identified discharge per vaginum as the most common symptom. When 50.9% thought multiparity was a risk factor 30% identified early sexual activity. 2.3% women knew that pas smear screening has to be done repeatedly. 8.3% of participants already had screening done. Only 8.3%of doctors advised pap screening during their consultations. Uptake of pap smear after awareness program was 100%.Conclusions: Awareness classes are needed for increasing the coverage for pap smear screening. The women should be educated about cervical cancer, its screening methods and the facilities available for screening in the hospitals. An Information Leaflet has to be provided to these women in the local language. Training programs should be conducted for general practitioners and gynecologists to conduct awareness classes for the public and also to motivate women to undergo screening at every possible opportunity.

Download Full-text

The prevalence of abnormal cervical cytology among postnatal clinic attendees at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar, Nigeria.

Journal of Clinical Oncology ◽

10.1200/jco.2013.31.15_suppl.e12568 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 31 (15_suppl) ◽

pp. e12568-e12568

Author(s):

Boniface Uji Ago

Keyword(s):

Cervical Cancer ◽

Pap Smear ◽

Gynecologic Oncology ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Cervical Cytology ◽

Screening Methods ◽

Low Grade ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Preventable Disease ◽

Abnormal Cervical Cytology

e12568 Background: Carcinoma of the uterine cervix is a deadly but preventable disease. It is still a major gynecologic problem in our subregion. Cervical cytology remains the key to its early detection and prompt treatment. Methods: This was a prospective cross sectional study of postnatal women to determine the prevalence of abnormal cervical cytology and their socio-demographic characteristics. Institutional ethical clearance and informed consent of participants were obtained. Aye's spatula and endocervical brush were used to collect specimen from the ectocervix and endocervix respectively and smeared on individually labelled glass slides. The samples were treated using the conventional Papanicolaou staining method and reported using the Bethesda system. Researcher-administered questionnaire generated data as well as results of cytology were analyzed using Epi-Info version 3.5.1.0 (CDC Atlanta USA 2008). Results: There were 100 women screened. Three percent had low grade squamous intraepithelial lesion. Colposcopy done, however, did not reveal abnormal findings. Ninety-five percent of the women had no prior knowledge of cervical cancer and Pap smear. Two percent of the women had a family history of cervical cancer and both patients died of the disease due to lack of facilities for treatment. Conclusions: Cervical cancer is a preventable disease. Women in our subregion are under-screened. Effective screening methods are the mainstay in its prevention. Availability of well equipped gynecologic oncology centers with personnel training are a necessary end to this carnage.

Download Full-text

Awareness of cervical and breast cancer among women attending OBG out-patient department of a medical college hospital, Bangalore

International Journal of Community Medicine and Public Health ◽

10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20181731 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 5 (5) ◽

pp. 2104 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Jayanthi Srikanth ◽

Kavya G. Upadhya ◽

Pankaj Kumar

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Risk Factors ◽

Cervical Cancer ◽

Pap Smear ◽

Medical Science ◽

Good Knowledge ◽

Screening Methods ◽

College Hospital ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Patient Department

Background: Cancers of the cervix and breast are common among Indian women. Majority of the women are not aware of the symptoms or screening methods and report late. Hence the current study was done to assess their knowledge and provide information regarding early detection.Methods: A cross-sectional study was done in the OBG out-patient department of Kempegowda Institute of Medical Science Hospital, Bangalore over a period of 3 months and 205 women aged 18 years and above were the study subjects. The awareness of the study subjects regarding cervical and breast cancer was assessed using a pre-tested semi-structured proforma. The data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics.Results: Among 205 study subjects interviewed, the study subjects who had heard about cervical cancer were 173 (84.4%) and those who had heard about breast cancer were 202 (98.5%). Out of 173 subjects who had heard about cervical cancer, 139 (80.3%) had good knowledge regarding the symptoms and 102 (58.9%) knew about the risk factors. The fact that cervical cancer could be detected early was known to 113 (65.3%) subjects but only 57 (32.9%) were aware of a pap smear. Out of 202 subjects who had heard about breast cancer, 159 (78.7%) had good knowledge regarding the symptoms and 74 (36.6%) knew about the risk factors. The fact that breast cancer could be detected early was known to 143 (70.8%) subjects but only 42 (20.8%) were aware of mammogram.Conclusions: Majority of the study subjects had reasonable knowledge of the symptoms and risk factors of cervical and breast cancer but the knowledge regarding screening test for early detection of these cancers was poor.

Download Full-text

Awareness and Attitude to the Risk of Cervical Cancer and Screening Methods among Women in the Najran Region of Southern Saudi Arabia

10.21203/rs.3.rs-33070/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Majed Alshahrani ◽

Salem Ali Alatef Sultan

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Cervical Cancer ◽

Pap Smear ◽

Healthcare Providers ◽

Screening Tests ◽

Screening Methods ◽

Sources Of Information ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Pap Smear Screening ◽

History Of

Abstract Introduction:The aim of this study was determined the level of awareness among women regarding risk factors for cervical cancer and screening methods, their sources of information, and general attitudes toward Pap smear screening tests and human papilloma virus vaccination.Method: A cross-sectional interviewer administered an electronic questionnaire among women in Najran City during the period from March 1, 2019 to June 30, 2019. The data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 25.0. Armonk, NY: IBM Corp.Result: A total of 3,387 women participated in this study. Less than 10% of the participants had good awareness and 70% had poor awareness about the risk factors for cervical cancer. In terms of the major barriers to taking the Pap smear test among married women, 968 (56.7%) had no knowledge of the test and 338 (19.85%) considered it unnecessary. Significant predictors of the level of awareness about cervical cancer and Pap smear testing were identified as the age of women, occupation, family history of cancer, monthly income (P < 0.001) and education level (P = 0.003).Conclusion: we detected a lack of awareness about risk factors for cervical cancer and the benefits of early detection among women in this region. Healthcare providers should implement policies or programs for cervical cancer screening and vaccination throughout all primary healthcare centers.

Download Full-text

Perceptions of Cervical Cancer Screening in Rural Guatemala

Hispanic Health Care International ◽

10.1177/15404153211024114 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 154041532110241

Author(s):

Emma Bassette ◽

Natabhona Mabachi ◽

Michael Kennedy ◽

Francisco Mendez-Puac

Keyword(s):

Cervical Cancer ◽

Pap Smear ◽

Low Cost ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Screening Methods ◽

Pap Smears ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Barriers To Access ◽

Access Cost ◽

Sub Saharan

Cervical cancer (CC) is the second most common cause of cancer-related mortality in the developing world. Globally, the incidence of CC is 13.1 per 100,000, with the highest incidence of CC seen in sub-Saharan Africa, Melanesia, Latin America and the Caribbean, Southcentral Asia, and Southeast Asia. Little data exist regarding perceptions of screening in Guatemala and how this may affect the likelihood that women seek care. This study aimed to assess the attitudes, perceptions, and beliefs of CC screening in women of Rural Guatemala. A cross-sectional mixed method analysis was administered using a survey given to 169 women in San Pedro La Laguna in Sololá, Guatemala. Results showed that none of the indigenous-language-speaking patients and only half of the bilingual patients had knowledge of human papillomavirus; 97% of women indicated that they believed regular Pap smears are important; only 46.4% of women screened had received a Pap smear at some point in their lives, which is slightly above the national average (39.3%). This is due to barriers to access, cost of treatment, and knowledge of CC. Results of this study display a positive perception of CC screening by indigenous women, indicating that efforts should be made to move toward the implementation of low-cost CC screening methods.

Download Full-text

Awareness and Attitude to the Risk of Cervical Cancer and Screening Method Among Women in the Najran Region of Southern Saudi Arabia

10.21203/rs.3.rs-37387/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Majed Saeed Alshahrani ◽

Salem Ali Alatef Sultan

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Cervical Cancer ◽

Pap Smear ◽

Screening Method ◽

Healthcare Providers ◽

Screening Tests ◽

Screening Methods ◽

Sources Of Information ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Pap Smear Screening

Abstract Introduction:The aim of this study was determined the level of awareness among women regarding risk factors for cervical cancer and screening methods, their sources of information, and general attitudes toward Pap smear screening tests and human papilloma virus vaccination.Method:A cross-sectional interviewer administered an electronic questionnaire among women in Najran City during the period from March 1, 2019 to June 30, 2019. The data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 25.0. Armonk, NY: IBM Corp.Result: A total of 3,387 women participated in this study and the response rate was 100%. Less than 10% of the participants had good awareness and 70% had poor awareness about the risk factors for cervical cancer. In terms of the major barriers to taking the Pap smear test among married women, 968 (56.7%) had no knowledge of the test and 338 (19.85%) considered it unnecessary. Significant predictors of the level of awareness about cervical cancer and Pap smear testing were identified as the age of women, occupation, family history of cancer, monthly income (P < 0.001) and education level (P = 0.003).Conclusion: we detected a lack of awareness about risk factors for cervical cancer and the benefits of early detection among women in this region. Healthcare providers should implement policies or programs for cervical cancer screening and vaccination throughout all primary healthcare centers.

Download Full-text

Perception and knowledge of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine for cervical cancer prevention among fully vaccinated female university students in the era of HPV vaccination: a cross-sectional study

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2020-047479 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (12) ◽

pp. e047479

Author(s):

Kah Teik Chew ◽

Nirmala Kampan ◽

Mohamad Nasir Shafiee

Keyword(s):

Cervical Cancer ◽

University Students ◽

Cancer Prevention ◽

Hpv Vaccine ◽

Pap Smear ◽

Hpv Vaccination ◽

Hpv Infection ◽

Cervical Cancer Prevention ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

The Mean

ObjectiveTo assess the perception and knowledge of cervical cancer prevention among fully vaccinated female university students in the era of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination.DesignCross-sectional using a validated questionnaire.SettingFace-to-face interview at a public university in Malaysia.Participants384 fully vaccinated female students were included in the study.ResultsThe total knowledge score in the questionnaire was 18 and was ranked according to score level into three groups: poor (score ≤5), moderate (score 6–10) and good (score ≥11). Mean score for knowledge of cervical cancer prevention was 8.24 (SD ±3.85), with 170 respondents (44.3%) scoring moderate knowledge level. The mean score for knowledge of HPV infection and its association with cervical cancer was 4.56±2.47, while the mean score for knowledge of HPV vaccination for cervical cancer prevention was 3.68 (SD ±1.98). A total of 186 (48.4%) respondents perceived that regular Pap smear was unnecessary after HPV vaccination. Respondents’ perceived seriousness and susceptibility of HPV infection correlated well with knowledge of cervical cancer prevention. Two main reasons for their acceptance of HPV vaccine were self-health awareness and free vaccination.ConclusionThe knowledge of HPV vaccination for cervical cancer prevention was average among vaccinated university students. Many of them had poor knowledge about Pap smear and did not consider regular Pap smear as an important cervical cancer screening tool following HPV vaccination. There is still a need for continued health education to improve the perception and knowledge about HPV infection and cervical cancer prevention among young adults in the community.

Download Full-text

Age related volume of cadaver-prostates in Bangladesh

Ibrahim Medical College Journal ◽

10.3329/imcj.v4i2.6501 ◽

1970 ◽

Vol 4 (2) ◽

pp. 74-77

Author(s):

Rukshana Ahmed ◽

Shamim Ara

Keyword(s):

Prostate Gland ◽

Age Groups ◽

Clinical Settings ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Medical College ◽

Age Related ◽

Group A ◽

Key Words Prostate ◽

The Mean ◽

Group B

Pathological changes in the prostate gland occur commonly with advancing age including inflammation, atrophy, hyperplasia and carcinoma and a change in volume is also evident. Estimation of volume of prostate may be useful in a variety of clinical settings. A cross-sectional descriptive study was designed to see the changes in volume of the prostate with advancing age and done in the Department of Anatomy, Dhaka Medical College, Dhaka from August 2006 to June 2007. The study was performed on 70 post-mortem human prostates collected from the unclaimed dead bodies that were under examination in the Department of Forensic Medicine, Dhaka Medical College, Dhaka. The samples were divided into three age groups; group A (10-20 years), group B (21-40 years) and group C (41-70 years). Volume of the sample was measured by using the ellipsoid formula. The mean ± SD volume of prostate was 7.68 ± 3.64 cm3 in group A, 10.61 ± 3.99 cm3 in group B and 15.40 ± 6.31 cm3 in group C. Mean difference in volume between group A and group C, group B and group C were statistically significant (p<0.001). Statistically significant positive correlation was found between age and volume of prostate (r = + 0.579, p < 0.001). Key Words: Prostate; volume; Bangladeshi. DOI: 10.3329/imcj.v4i2.6501Ibrahim Med. Coll. J. 2010; 4(2): 74-77

Download Full-text

Sex differences in the phylum‐level human gut microbiota composition

BMC Microbiology ◽

10.1186/s12866-021-02198-y ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Alexander Koliada ◽

Vladislav Moseiko ◽

Mariana Romanenko ◽

Oleh Lushchak ◽

Nadiia Kryzhanovska ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sex Differences ◽

Gut Microbiota ◽

Age Groups ◽

Microbiota Composition ◽

Human Gut ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Total N ◽

Human Gut Microbiota ◽

Gut Microbiota Composition

Abstract Background Evidence was previously provided for sex-related differences in the human gut microbiota composition, and sex-specific discrepancy in hormonal profiles was proposed as a main determinant of these differences. On the basis of these findings, the assumption was made on the role of microbiota in the sexual dimorphism of human diseases. To date, sex differences in fecal microbiota were demonstrated primarily at lower taxonomic levels, whereas phylum-level differences between sexes were reported in few studies only. In the present population-based cross-sectional research, sex differences in the phylum-level human gut microbiota composition were identified in a large (total n = 2301) sample of relatively healthy individuals from Ukraine. Results Relative abundances of Firmicutes and Actinobacteria, as determined by qRT-PCR, were found to be significantly increased, while that of Bacteroidetes was significantly decreased in females compared to males. The Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes (F/B) ratio was significantly increased in females compared to males. Females had 31 % higher odds of having F/B ratio more than 1 than males. This trend was evident in all age groups. The difference between sexes was even more pronounced in the elder individuals (50+): in this age group, female participants had 56 % higher odds of having F/B ratio > 1 than the male ones. Conclusions In conclusion, sex-specific differences in the phylum-level intestinal microbiota composition were observed in the Ukraine population. The F/B ratio was significantly increased in females compared to males. Further investigation is needed to draw strong conclusions regarding the mechanistic basis for sex-specific differences in the gut microbiota composition and regarding the role of these differences in the initiation and progression of human chronic diseases.

Download Full-text