Project Materials

KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICE CONCERNING CERVICAL CANCER SCREENING AMONG MARKET WOMEN

ABSTRACT

Cervical cancer is a spectrum that includes dysplasia and invasive malignancy. The disease progresses to distant metastasis, which involves surrounding tissues and deposits in organs such as the liver, lungs, and bones. Poor public health awareness has contributed to late diagnosis of this disease, hence there is a need to review knowledge, attitude, and practice about cervical cancer screening. Market women continue to be the economic drivers of households in many parts of Nigeria. As a result, raising awareness will help to minimise the disease’s burden. A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted utilising systematic sampling to collect data from 253 market women in Yola city using administered questionnaires. The results showed that the majority of market women (74.0%) had heard of cervical cancer, and 74.9% had heard about screening. There was also a positive attitude, although practice was inadequate. Women with formal education were more likely to have cervical cancer screening than those without formal education; however, the difference was not statistically significant (x2 = 4.248, P = 0.120). Only 72 women have undergone cervical cancer screening. The survey found that while respondents had a high degree of knowledge of cervical cancer screening, only 28.5% had ever received it. As a result, ongoing public health awareness should be promoted in order to enhance the use of screening services in all healthcare facilities.

Chapter one

INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

Cervical cancer spans from dysplasia to aggressive malignancy. Dysplasia refers to an aberrant cell organisation, such as premalignant alterations in the squamous epithelium. It’s classified as mild, moderate, or severe.

Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia is a similarly comparable terminology that encompasses the complete range of changes and is classified CIN 1, CIN 2, and CIN 3 based on the third of the epithelium (Upper, Middle, Lower) in which changes occur, equivalent to mild, moderate, and severe1.

Invasive cancer is defined by the invasion of deeper tissues. It usually takes three forms: fungating (the most frequent), ulcerating, and infiltration. Histologically, 95% of cells are big cells, either keratinised (highly developed) or non-keratinized (moderately differentiated).

Adenocarcinoma develops from an endocervical glance, which can occur anywhere from the interior to the exterior organs. The late stage of the disease usually results in distant metastasis

Although local spread can occur either upward to cover the entire cervix, downward to extend into the vaginal vault, laterally to involve the ureters, anteriorly to involve the bladder, or posteriolly to affect the rectum.

Lymphytic spread begins early, whereas haematogenous spread occurs via systemic circulation, primarily affecting the liver, lungs, and bones1.

Pathology of Cervical Cancer

Cervical cancer develops in the uterine cervix’s “transformation zone.” This is the area that undergoes physiological metaplasia from glandular to squamous epithelium during the onset of puberty.

Human Papiloma Virus (HPV) is quite common following the commencement of sexual activity, and when it persists, the viral oncoprotein disrupts cell-cycle control.