Knowledge of Cervical Cancer and Uptake of Screening among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Clinic at the Ho Municipal Hospital, Volta Region, Ghana.

Abstract

Background: Cervical cancer is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality among females across the globe, especially in developing countries like Ghana. The level women's knowledge about cervical cancer is important in increasing efforts to minimizing the disease. Aim: this study was aimed at ascertaining the knowledge and uptake of cervical cancer screening services among pregnant mothers attending antenatal clinic at the Ho Municipal Hospital. Methodology: The study adopted an analytic cross-sectional design along with a quantitative method of data collection among pregnant women. Systematic sampling method was used in selecting the respondents for the study. Descriptive and inferential analysis were performed. Descriptive analysis involved summary and cross-tabulation to assess proportion of independent variables against dependent variable. Inferential analysis which involved equality of variance test to assess the mean differences of knowledge scores across all domains. Findings: this study found that the overall knowledge score on cervical cancer among the respondents was 23.7%. Knowledge on the risk factor of cervical cancer showed that, respondents agreed that having multiple sex partners, smoking and early of sexual intercourse increase one's risk of acquiring the disease. It was found that age, religion. educational level, average monthly income, marital status, number of children, number of pregnancy and age at first pregnancy significantly influence overall knowledge score (p-value<0.05). The uptake of cervical cancer screening among the respondents within three years preceding was as low as 31.5%. Demographic characteristics such as age group, educational level, employment status, average monthly income, marital status, number of children, number of pregnancy and age range of first pregnancy were significantly associated with cervical cancer uptake (p-value<0.05%). Conclusion: the results of this study revealed that even though awareness level was high, only few pregnant women had adequate knowledge on cervical cancer. Knowledge about cervical cancer regarding its risk factors, signs and symptoms, prevention and treatment is sub-optimal among the population under this present study. There was also poor uptake of Pap smear test among pregnant women within three years preceding the study. The factors that influence cervical cancer screening uptake were lack of husband support, being physically healthy, cultural beliefs, cost of screening and lack of female health workers to conduct the test.