Determinants of Awareness and Knowledge on Cervical Cancer among Women in Buea- Cameroon
Published: 2020-10-26
Page: 89-102
Issue: 2020 - Volume 3 [Issue 1]
C. Neh Fru *
Department of Sociology and Anthropology, Faculty of Social and Management Sciences, University of Buea, Cameroon.
Tassang Andrew
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Buea, Cameroon and Buea Regional Hospital Annex, Cameroon and Atlantic Medical Foundation Hospital – Mutengene, Cameroon.
Frederick Nchang Cho
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Buea, Cameroon and Infectious Disease Laboratory, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Buea, P.O.Box 63, Buea, Cameroon.
Tassang Thierry
Kumbo Sub Divisional Hospital, Kumbo, Cameroon.
P. Ngum Fru
Department of Sociology and Anthropology, Faculty of Social and Management Sciences, University of Buea, Cameroon.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Introduction: The purpose of this study was to assess the knowledge and awareness of cervical cancer among women who came for screening at the regional hospital Buea- South West Region of Cameroon.
Materials and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study involving women aged from 16 to 65 years was carried out. A one-day free screening campaign was done at the Buea regional hospital on the 2nd of November, 2019.
Results: The age, educational status, marital status, age at first sex, and a number of sexual partners for the last past years were associated with knowledge and awareness of cervical cancer screening.
Conclusion: The number of sex partners for the last five years, age, educational level, and marital status were determinants affecting awareness and knowledge in this study. Further studies are needed with larger sample sizes to corroborate or not our findings.
Keywords: Cancer of the cervix, knowledge, awareness, Buea, Cameroon