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Cervical Cancer Knowledge, Perceptions and Screening Behaviour Among Female University Students in Ghana.
- Source :
-
Journal of cancer education : the official journal of the American Association for Cancer Education [J Cancer Educ] 2016 Jun; Vol. 31 (2), pp. 322-7. - Publication Year :
- 2016
-
Abstract
- Cervical cancer is becoming a leading cause of death among women in developing countries. Nevertheless, little is known regarding knowledge and perception of cervical cancer and screening behaviour particularly among female tertiary students in Ghana. This study sought to examine the knowledge and perceptions of cervical cancer and screening behaviour among female students in the University of Cape Coast and Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration in Ghana. A cross-sectional survey design was adopted for the study. Systematic and stratified random sampling techniques were used to select 410 participants for the study. The study found that the participants lacked knowledge on specific risk factors and symptoms of cervical cancer. Also, even though the participants had a fair perception of cervical cancer, they had a poor cervical cancer screening behaviour. Awareness of cervical cancer was significantly influenced by religious affiliation while cervical cancer screening was significantly determined by the working status of the participants. Specific knowledge on cervical cancer and its risk factors as well as regular screening behaviour is paramount to the prevention of cervical cancer. Consequently, the University Health Services should focus on promoting regular cervical cancer awareness campaigns and screening among the students particularly, females.
- Subjects :
- Adult
Awareness
Cross-Sectional Studies
Culture
Female
Follow-Up Studies
Ghana
Humans
Perception
Surveys and Questionnaires
Universities
Uterine Cervical Neoplasms diagnosis
Uterine Cervical Neoplasms prevention & control
Young Adult
Early Detection of Cancer psychology
Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
Papanicolaou Test psychology
Students psychology
Uterine Cervical Neoplasms psychology
Vaginal Smears psychology
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1543-0154
- Volume :
- 31
- Issue :
- 2
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Journal of cancer education : the official journal of the American Association for Cancer Education
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 25957285
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1007/s13187-015-0852-x