Factors Influencing Uptake of Cervical Cancer Screening among Female Health Workers in University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Rivers State

Abstract

This is a cross-sectional descriptive survey. The purpose of the study was to examine the factors that influence the uptake of cervical cancer screening among female health workers at the University of Port Harcourt teaching hospital (UPTH), Rivers state. A sample size of 352 was used for the study. A self structured questionnaire was the instrument used for data collection. The reliability indices were established using test-retest approach. The scores obtained were computed using Pearson’s product-moment coefficient correlation to obtain the reliability co-efficient (r) of 0.94 which was considered adequate. Data analyses were done using statistical soft ware package, for Social Sciences version 20.0. Descriptive statistics of percentages, mean, standard deviation and criterion mean of 2.5. Inferential statistics (chi-square and Analysis of variance) were used to test associations. Major findings of the study revealed that unavailability of screening services and poor attitude of female health workers were among the major factors that hinder uptake of cervical cancer screening. Some of the recommendations made include: an intensive and extensive sensitization of female health workers about the necessity of cervical cancer screening; More information, education and communication materials like picto-pamphlets should be made available and distributed at strategic centers were women are and can be found; to overcome cultural barriers, there is need to involve community leaders, respectable men and women in each community who should be involved both in disseminating the information on cervical cancer screening and screening programmes and the provision of adequately equipped screening centers which should also be accessible to women.