Uptake of Cervical Cancer Screening Among Female Medical Doctors in a Tertiary Health Care Institution, South-East Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Cervical cancer remains a major cause of mortality among women, particularly in low-resource and developing countries like Nigeria. The attitude of doctors towards the uptake of cancer screening program may directly influence the uptake in the general population.
Aim: To assess the level of uptake of cervical cancer screening amongst female medical doctors in a tertiary healthcare institution, South-east Nigeria.

Methodology: A hospital-based cross-sectional study conducted among 85 female medical doctors using systematic random sampling technique. Data was using a self-administered questionnaire. Results were analyzed using SPSS version 22. P-value <0.05.

Result: The mean age of the respondents was 34.2±8.4 years. Less than half (35.3%) of the respondents had ever undergone cervical cancer screening with majority (90%) had pap smear test done. Only 63.3% had been adherent since onset of uptake of screening. There was a statistically significant association between accessibility of services, type of facility and payment of test with screening uptake. (χ2 = 64.8, p<0.001, χ2 = 85.0, p< 0.001, χ2 = 58.5, p<0.001) respectively.

Conclusion and Recommendation: The uptake of cervical cancer screening among female medical doctors is low. There is need for the Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria (MWAN), in partnership with NGOs to organize programs which offer cervical cancer screening exercises for her members at affordable or no cost.