The level of knowledge and associated socio-demographic factors on cervical cancer among women: a cross-sectional study at Kenyase Bosore community, Ghana

• Published in: The Pan African medical journal Vol. 34; no. 44; p. 44
• Main Authors: Gyamfua, Ampofo Ama, Nkrumah, Isaac, Ibitoye, Bukola Mary, Agyemang, Beatrice Ampofo, Ofosu, Evelyn Serwaa, Tsoka-Gwegweni, Joyce Mahlako, Cumber, Samuel Nambile
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Uganda African Field Epidemiology Network 2019; The African Field Epidemiology Network; The Pan African Medical Journal
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Age; Annan medicin och hälsovetenskap; Basic Medicine; Cervical cancer; Cross-Sectional Studies; Developing countries; Education; Female; Ghana; Health Education - methods; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Health risk assessment; Health Sciences; Human papillomavirus; Humans; Hälsovetenskaper; Immune system; Knowledge; LDCs; Literacy; Medical screening; Medicinska grundvetenskaper; Mortality; Other Medical Sciences; Prevention; Public health; Questionnaires; Researchers; Risk Factors; socio-demographic factors; Surveys and Questionnaires; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms - etiology; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms - prevention & control; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms - therapy; Womens health; Young Adult; Ghana; South Africa; Ghana; Knowledge; cervical cancer; socio-demographic factors
• ISSN: 1937-8688; 1937-8688
• DOI: 10.11604/pamj.2019.34.44.19471

Cervical cancer is a major cause of death amongst women around the world. In Ghana, it accounts for over 2,119 female deaths and about 3,151 new diagnoses of the disease. It is usually diagnosed at an advanced stage, making it difficult to treat. This study aims at assessing the knowledge on risk factors, prevention and treatment of cervical cancer among women in Kenyase Bosore, Ghana. This study was a cross-sectional descriptive study conducted among women in Bosore Kenyase, Ghana. A total of 200 women were selected for the studies using the convenience sampling technique. Structured questionnaires were used for data collection and statistical package for social sciences application was also used to analyse the data. Pearson chi-square test was used to find associations between knowledge and awareness level and socio-demographic characteristics of the participants. Overall, 9.7% of the respondents had high knowledge on cervical cancer, 20.6% had moderate knowledge and 69.7% had low knowledge on cervical cancer. There was a significant association between educational background (p=0.000) and awareness level of the respondents. There was also a significant association between the occupation (p=0.003), educational background (p=0.000) and knowledge level of the respondents. The knowledge level of the respondents was very low. Specifically, the respondents had inadequate knowledge on risk factors, signs and symptoms, prevention and treatment of cervical cancer. The authors recommend the intensification of cervical cancer education in Kenyase Bosore, and Ghana as a whole.