Perception and Practices of Cervical Cancer Screening and Prevention among Female Health Workers in the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital

Abstract

Background: Cervical cancer is the most common cancer among women in Ghana and the leading cause of cancer mortality among women in Ghana. Health care professionals are important predictors of the use of cervical cancer screening, however, there is no evidence of how health workers use cervical cancer screening services. General Objective: To assess the knowledge, perception and practices of cervical cancer screening and prevention among female doctors and nurses in Korle Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH). Methods: The study employed a quantitative cross-sectional design in studying female doctors and nurses in the KBTH. Data was collected over a four week period from 387 female health workers in seven clinical departments through systematic sampling technique using a structured self-administered questionnaire. Descriptive statistics of categorical variables were presented in frequencies and proportions while that of continuous variables were presented with means and standard deviations. Chi-square and Fishers’ exact tests were used to test for association between the categorical independent variables and various outcome variables. T-test and One-way ANOVA tests were also used to compare the average age of the respondents across the various levels of the outcome variables. Binary logistic as well as linear regression models were used to assess the strength of association between independent variables and dependent variables. Level of statistical significance was pegged at 5%. Results: The knowledge level of majority (72%) of female doctors and nurses in Korle Bu Teaching Hospital on cervical cancer and its screening and preventive methods was moderate. significantly higher proportion of doctors had high knowledge level than nurses cancer screening is important for reducing risk of the disease was high (94%). The multiple binary logistic regression models identified marital status, work profession, and department as the only statistically significant predictors of Preparedness to Educate Women on Cervical Cancer Screening(p<0.05). It also revealed department, and awareness of cervical cancer screening (ever heard about cervical cancer screening) as the only statistically significant predictors of Cervical Cancer Screening Practice (p<0.05). Not being aware of cervical cancer screening (ever heard about cervical cancer screening) was associated 83% reduced odds of having Cervical Cancer Screening compared to those who were aware (AOR: 0.17, 95% CI: 0.03 - 0.93). Conclusions: The overall level of knowledge of female doctors and nurses in KBTH on cervical cancer, its screening and prevention is inadequate. There was almost universal positive perception of the importance of cervical cancer screening in reducing the disease. The practice of being screened for cervical cancer among female doctors and nurses in KBTH was poor (32%) and this is coupled with inadequate preparedness to talk to or educate other women. The factors significantly associated with positive cervical cancer screening practice among female health workers in KBTH were respondent’s department and awareness of cervical cancer screening. Key words: Cervical Cancer, Screening, Preventive Practices, Pap Smear, Knowledge, Perception, Health Workers.