Knowledge, perception and cervical cancer screening practices among nurses and midwives: a case study of Our Lady of Grace Hospital in the Asikuma Odoben Brakwa district, Central region-Ghana.

Abstract

Background: Cervical cancer prevention can be achieved through comprehensive programs involving education, awareness creation, vaccination, screening, and early treatment. Health workers have a vital role to play in achieving this. Hence, they must be adequately equipped with the requisite knowledge of the condition since they provide information to their clients.

Objective: This study determined the knowledge, perception, and screening practices on cervical cancer among female nurses and midwives in the Central Region of Ghana.

Method: A quantitative descriptive cross-sectional survey amongst nurses and midwives was used for the study. A convenience sampling technique was applied to yield a representative sample of 130 female nurses and midwives working in Our Lady of Grace Hospital in the Central Region, Ghana. Data was collected from the participants using a self-administered questionnaire. The data was analysed using SPSS version 20, and standard descriptive statistics such as proportions were used to summarize the survey data.

Results: Almost all the nurses (99%) had heard of cervical cancer. Majority (97.1%) of the respondents believed cervical cancer is preventable however, 67.6% also believed that it is incurable. Almost half (42.2%) of the respondents did not perceive themselves as at risk of cervical cancer. Thus, only 11.8% of the nurses had ever screened for cervical cancer. However, majority (92.2%) were willing to recommend the screening to others.

Conclusion: The respondents of this study had some knowledge of cervical cancer however had low patronage for recommended screening practices. Therefore, strategies must be implemented to increase screening practices among female nurses.