Cervical Cancer Screening Attitude and Associated SocioDemographic Factors Among Women of Reproductive Age in Ahoada East Local Government Area of Rivers State

Abstract

This study focused on the attitude towards cervical cancer screening and associated sociodemographic factors among women of reproductive age in Ahoada East Local Government Area of Rivers State. The descriptive survey research design was adopted with a population consisting of 43,068 women of childbearing age (15-49years) in Ahoada East Local Government Area. The sample size for the study was 435. The multi-stage sampling procedure was adopted. The instrument for data collection was a structured questionnaire with a reliability coefficient of 0.78. Data analysis was carried out with the aid of the Statistical Product for Service Solution (SPSS V27) using statistical tools such as percentage and Chi-square set at 0.05 alpha level. The finding of the study showed that attitude towards cervical cancer screening was positive (2.79±0.82). Also, there was a statistically significant association between socio-demographic factors [age (X 2 -value = 4.21, df = 2, p<0.05), education (X 2 -value = 8.65, df = 3, p<0.05) and marital status (X 2 -value = 14.76, df = 3, p<0.05)] and attitude towards cervical cancer screening. Furthermore, a statistically significant association between socio-demographic factors [age (X 2 -value = 35.73, df = 2, p<0.05), education (X 2 -value = 45.54, df = 3, p<0.05) and marital status (X 2 -value = 118.29, df = 3, p<0.05)] and practice of cervical cancer screening was found. In conclusion, women of reproductive age in Ahoada East had positive attitude towards cervical cancer screening. It was recommended among others that; the government should provide special centres for cervical cancer screening at strategic positions to encourage its practice in diverse socio-demographic contexts.