Knowledge, attitude, and practice towards cervical cancer screening and hpv vaccination among women in passo community, abuja, nigeria

Yalma RM; Okafor Ebuka

doi:10.38022/ajhp.v5i3.106

Yalma RM Department of Community Medicine, College of Health Sciences, University of Abuja
jyrmsheliza@yahoo.com
Okafor Ebuka Department of Community Medicine, College of Health Sciences, University of Abuja

DOI https://doi.org/10.38022/ajhp.v5i3.106

Abstract

Cervical cancer is a common cancer among women globally. In Nigeria, it is the second most prevalent cancer among women aged 15–44 years. Persistent infection with high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) types, particularly HPV 16 and 18, is the primary cause. Despite effective prevention strategies such as HPV vaccination and routine screening, uptake in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) remains poor due to low awareness, socioeconomic barriers, and inadequate health infrastructure. This study assessed the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) towards cervical cancer screening and HPV vaccination among women in Passo Community, Gwagwalada Area Council, Abuja, Nigeria.A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 217 adolescent and adult females (15–65 years) using a cluster sampling technique. Data were collected using a pre-tested, semi-structured questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS version 24. Categorical variables were summarized as frequencies and percentages. Associations between variables were tested using Pearson’s Chi-square, with p<0.05 considered statistically significant.Awareness of cervical cancer was 45.5%, while only 13.4% were aware of HPV and 14.3% knew about HPV vaccination. Good knowledge of cervical cancer was found in 31.3% of respondents, and of screening in 30.0%. Most respondents (75.1%) displayed a positive attitude towards screening; however, only 9.7% had ever undergone screening, and none had received HPV vaccination. The most cited barriers were lack of awareness and uncertainty about where to access services.Despite a generally positive attitude towards screening, knowledge and practice of cervical cancer prevention in this community were low. Public health interventions should focus on awareness creation, accessible screening services, and HPV vaccination programs to reduce the burden of cervical cancer.

Keywords: Cervical cancer, HPV, Screening, Vaccination, Knowledge, Attitude, Practice, Nigeria

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