Knowledge and attitudes about cervical cancer and its prevention among female secondary school students in Nigeria

ObjectiveTo ascertain the level of awareness and attitudes towards cervical cancer among secondary school students in Nigeria. MethodCross-sectional survey of 432 female senior secondary school students in south-eastern Nigeria. ResultsA total of 321 (74.3%) responses were valid; 42.7% had heard of cervical cancer, 32.8% of screening, 23.2% of Pap smears and 22.0% of HPV/HPV vaccinations. No widely available reliable source of information exists. General knowledge about Pap smears (41.8%) and HPV (43.1%) was poor, as was specific knowledge about their benefits, timing and frequency, and about HPV vaccinations, but associated attitudes were moderately positive at 60.2% and 65.1%, respectively. Awareness of cervical cancers increases knowledge about when to start screening (OR=2.30; P=0.02) and about early symptoms of cervical cancer (OR=2.56; P=0.001). ConclusionOverall knowledge of cervical cancer is poor, but attitudes are positive. Awareness campaigns are therefore necessary, and are expected to be effective. Campaigns should target teenage females, and commencing teaching in high schools of developing countries, through materials included in their academic curricula, is recommended. ObjectifDeterminer le niveau de sensibilisation et les attitudes vis-a-vis du cancer du col de l'uterus chez les eleves de sexe feminin du secondaire au Nigeria. MethodeEnquete transversale sur 432 eleves de sexe feminin du 2(nd) cycle du secondaire dans le sud-est du Nigeria. Resultats321 reponses (74,3%) etaient valides. 42,7% avaient entendu parler du cancer du col de l'uterus, 32,8% du depistage, 23,2% des frottis vaginaux et 22,0% du VPH/des vaccins contre le VPH. Il n'existait aucune source d'information fiable et largement disponible. Les connaissances generales sur les frottis vaginaux (41,8%) et le VPH (43,1%) etaient mediocres, tout comme les connaissances specifiques sur leurs avantages, leur calendrier et leur frequence et sur les vaccinations contre le VPH, mais les attitudes associees etaient moderement positives a 60,2% et 65,1% respectivement. La sensibilisation sur le cancer du col de l'uterus augmente les connaissances sur le moment de commencer le depistage (OR = 2,30; p = 0,02) et sur les symptomes precoces (OR = 2,56; p = 0,001). ConclusionLes connaissances globales sur le cancer du col de l'uterus sont faibles, mais les attitudes sont positives. Des campagnes de sensibilisation ciblant les adolescentes sont necessaires et on peut s'attendre a ce qu'elles soient efficaces. Les campagnes devraient etre menees par les enseignants, les agents de sante et des institutions religieuses.