Abstract:
Cervical cancer is the second commonest cancer and the leading
cause of cancer deaths in women worldwide as well as in Nigeria, and it has been
reportEd to be associated with HIV and AIDS. Knowledge of cervical cancer
screening techniques and their practice is very critical for the reduction of deaths
from cervical cancer.
Methodology: This study assessed the knowledge, attitude and practice of cervical
cancer screening among HIV-positive females in Enugu between July and September
2012. A cross sectional study of 251 HIV positive women attending HIV treatment
centre in Enugu was done using consecutive recruitment of consenting females. A
semi-structured pretested questionnaire was used to obtain information from the
women. Data obtained was analyzed using SPSS Version 17.0 software.
Results: A total of 251 HIV-positive women were studied. Majority 101(40.2%) of
them were between ages 25-34 years. Ninety-five (37.8%) had heard about cervical
cancer while 156(62.2%) had not and 38(15.1%) knew of the Pap smear screening
test. Doctors and other health workers were the principal sources of information
45(17.5%), followed by mass media 30(11.7%). Only 21(8.4%) of the respondents
had ever been screened for cervical cancer. Lack of knowledge about the test
159(63.3%), lack of doctor’s recommendation 78(31.1%), ignorance about location
of screening centre 32(12.7%), were the three most frequent reasons for lack of
screening. The presence of risk factors for cervical cancer was high among the
respondents as 155(61.7%) had multiple sexual partners, 139(58.9%) had sexual
debut before 20 years and 103(41.0%) had sexual partners who did not use condom.
183(72.9%) were willing to undertake the cervical screening test while 68(27.1%)
would not even with assurance of safety and at no cost.
