Title : Effect of sensitization on attitude of female health workers towards cervical cancer screening
Abstract:
Cervical cancer screening is a health intervention for women at risk of developing cervical cancer. Documented evidence shows that it is treatable if early diagnosis is made and preventable if vaccination is given at the appropriate age. Regrettably, in most developing countries including Nigeria diagnosis is often made late when the cancer has advanced. In addition, using vaccination for the prevention is still in rudimentary level in Nigeria. Female health workers occupy key position in influencing positive health behavior among the women population in issues affecting their health including cervical cancer screening. Therefore, their positive attitude towards cervical cancer screening will invariably motivate other women to participate in cervical cancer screening exercise. Participation of more women will contribute significantly in reducing the incidence of cervical cancer.
The study assessed the effect of sensitization on attitude of female health workers towards cervical cancer screening in Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital,(NDUTH) and Federal Medical Centre (FMC), both are located in Yenegoa, Bayelsa State. Quasi-experimental design was used for the study. One hundred and forty (140) participants were selected using proportionate stratified random sampling technique. Instrument for data collection was adapted and validated Attitude scale for cancer screening by Yildirim et al., (2020). The reliability coefficient of 0.75 was obtained using Spearman Brown statistical procedure. Major finding revealed that sensitization had positive effect on participants' attitude towards cervical cancer screening, with a mean attitude change of 0.31 and a standard deviation of 0.53. Study concluded that sensitization is a veritable strategy that positively enhanced participants' attitude towards cervical cancer screening. The study therefore recommends that effective and regular sensitization approaches be used not only for female health workers but for all women in order to promote positive attitude towards cervical cancer screening thereby reduce the incidence of cervical cancer among women.
Audience Take Away:
- Cervical cancer screening is a health intervention used on population of women at risk of developing cervical cancer disease.
- Human papilloma virus (HPV) may progress to cervical cancer within 3 to 20 years of infection, thus this long window period provide ample opportunity for early detection and appropriate intervention.
- There is high mortality of cervical cancer among women in the developing countries.
- No woman should die of cervical cancer’’ because it is preventable and/or treatable if detected early.
- Early detection of HPV infection is the core key for treatment of cervical cancer.
