Knowledge and Acceptance of Papanicoloau Smear Screening among Women in a Nigerian Health Institution

Abstract

Pap smear screening remains a diagnostic and preventable measure for cervical cancer. This study investigated Knowledge and Acceptance of Papanicoloau Smear Screening among Women in a Nigerian Public Hospital. A descriptive-cross sectional design was used for the study. The sample of 200 was made from 376 using Krejcie & Morgan (1970) and 10% non response rate. Simple random sampling was used to select the participants.  Instrument used for data collection was Knowledge and Acceptance of Pap Smear Screening (KAPSS) questionnaire. Pilot test was carried out to assess its reliability. Data analysis was done using SPSS version 21. Majority of the respondents (98%) was married and 71% of the respondents had tertiary education. Majority 72% have heard about Pap smear test. Majority of the respondents 95.5% stated that knowledge about Pap smear could be obtained through Health workers.  Majority of the respondents 86% have submitted themselves for Pap smear test before, all the respondents who submitted themselves for Pap smear test never did a follow up test.  Majority 87% stated that Public enlightenment on Pap smear is not a factor to influence the use of Pap smear, while 75% of the respondents stated that Pap smear test to be free and be made mandatory for all women will influence the use of Pap smear test. The study suggests that Pap smear fees should be made free or be subsidized.