Awareness of Cervical Cancer and Willingness to Screen among Young Female Adults in Madina Zongo, Accra.

Abstract

Background: Cervical cancer is the commonest gynaecological cancer in women worldwide with more than 85% of the global burden occurring in developing countries where it accounts for 13% of all female cancers and a major cause of cancer-related deaths. It has a long latency period and it is one of the few cancers that are preventable through regular screening. Objective: This study aimed to assess the awareness of cervical cancer among young female adults and their willingness to screen. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study using the modified random walk method and simple random sampling technique to select 360 study participants. Structured questionnaires were administered through face to face interview to collect data for the study. The analysis process was done using STATA version 14 software. The data were analyzed using frequencies to determine awareness of cervical cancer, the knowledge level and willingness to screen among young female adults. Pearson’s chi-square test was performed to establish any relationship between the dependent and independent variables. Logistic regression analysis was also done for the predictor values. Results: Out of the 360 respondents, 24% were aware of cervical cancer, the knowledge level was graded into low, moderate and high and 90.5% of those who were aware were willing to screen for cervical cancer Conclusion: The study found low awareness of cervical cancer (76%) among the young female adults recruited into this study. However, majority of them were willing to screen for the disease. There is therefore the need to create awareness on cervical cancer to the general public to increase uptake of screening.