Knowledge, Attitudes and Practice Regarding Cervical Cancer and Screening among Women Visiting Selected Primary Health Centres in Ogbomosho, Nigeria

Cervical cancer is one of the most preventable cancers in the world and its` prognosis is better when detected early through cervical cancer screening. The study examined the knowledge, attitudes and practice regarding cervical cancer and screening among women visiting selected primary health centres (PHCs) in Ogbomosho. The study was conducted in May 2021, employing a descriptive cross-sectional design. A sample size of 124 respondents was determined using the Taro-Yamane formula and selected through convenience sampling technique. Data collection utilised a validated questionnaire, with analysis performed using descriptive statistics encompassing frequencies and percentages. Relationships between variables were tested using chi-square at a 0.05 significance level. Findings suggest that more than half (55%) had good knowledge of cervical and cervical cancer screening. The majority (70%) had a good attitude towards cervical cancer and cervical cancer screening. Less than one-third (21%) have had cervical cancer screening done before. Self-reported barriers limiting the practice of cervical cancer screening identified include lack of health education on cervical cancer screening (45.5%), lack of knowledge on the screenings (39.3%), absence of signs and symptoms of cervical cancer (39.3%), low socioeconomic status (29.5%), cost of the procedure (17.9%), unavailability of services (17.9%) and religious beliefs (14.3%). Chi-square analysis showed a statistically significant relationship between the educational status of respondents and their knowledge of cervical cancer screening, likewise, a significant relationship exists between the knowledge of respondents and the practice of cervical cancer screening at P