Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Cervical Cancer Screening among Female Public Health Students in the University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria.

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Stephenie Nzubechi Obannaya, Bernadine Nsa Ekpenyong, Babatunde Esu Ekpereonne This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-6541442/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Published Journal Publication published 30 Jan, 2026 Read the published version in Discover Public Health → Version 1 posted 12 You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among women aged 15 to 44, a period marked by high reproductive activity. Early detection and timely treatment are crucial in reducing mortality rates. This study was conducted between January 2024 and October 2024 and examined the knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to cervical cancer screening among female Public Health students at the University of Calabar, Nigeria. The research was conducted as a cross-sectional descriptive study focusing on four objectives, four research questions, and two hypotheses. A sample of 344 participants was selected using a two-stage sampling technique. Data collection involved a self-administered questionnaire, with analysis conducted using SPSS Version 23 and Microsoft Excel to calculate frequencies and percentages. The findings revealed that 157(45.7%) of respondents had fair knowledge of cervical cancer screening, while 205(59.8%) had a negative attitude towards it. Moreover, 284(82.8%) exhibited poor screening practices. Key barrier to cervical cancer screening included fear or discomfort 198(57.9%), lack of access to facilities 189(55.3%), financial constraints 185(54.1%), and time limitations 175(51.2%). Cultural beliefs and social norms affected 131(38.3%) of participants. Significant associations were found between poor knowledge and inadequate practices where P = 0.001 (P < 0.05). This study highlights the critical gaps in knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to cervical cancer screening among female Public Health students at the University of Calabar, Nigeria. The findings underscore the need for targeted interventions to improve awareness and accessibility of cervical cancer screening services, addressing both educational and systemic barriers. Cervical cancer screening knowledge attitude practices Figures Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 3 Figure 4 INTRODUCTION Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) refer to a group of conditions that are not mainly caused by an acute infection, result in long-term health consequences and often create a need for long-term treatment and care (WHO, 2016) [ 1 ]. Cancer as a major NCD, is linked to irregular cell growth that has the potential to invade or spread to various parts of the body (Preethi et al., 2021) [ 2 ]. Cervical cancer specifically is the third most common cancer in women and a worldwide public health issue that stands out as a major contributor to illness and death among females globally. The primary factor contributing to the development of cervical cancer is the infection with specific types of human papilloma virus (HPV), namely HPV 16 and HPV 18 (Taneja et al., 2021) [ 3 ]. Annually, approximately 12,000 new cases of cervical cancer are diagnosed in Nigeria. If this trend persists, over one million women will be newly diagnosed with cervical by the year 2050. The mortality rate remains elevated worldwide, largely due to the factors such as delayed detection, advanced disease stages, and the lack of access to cervical cancer screening initiatives especially in many developing nations (Tekle et al., 2020) [ 4 ]. Fortunately, cervical cancer is treatable, thanks to its extended pre-invasive phase. Early detection and timely treatment of cervical cancer in women are essential factors in decreasing mortality rates (Šarenac & Mikov, 2019) [ 5 ]. While the cross-sectional nature of the study may hinder the establishment of causal relationships, providing a snapshot without capturing changes or trends over time also the study’s findings being limited by potential sampling bias - as the research focuses exclusively on the female students, there is no study known to the research that has been conducted on Public Health students who are expected to know the right thing to do regarding prevention of cervical cancer. This study therefore is instituted to determine the Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of cervical cancer screening among female Public Health students in the University of Calabar. Our burning questions were: what is the knowledge level of cervical cancer? how is their attitude towards cervical cancer screening? What is the practice level of cervical cancer screening and what are the factors influencing the uptake of cervical screening among these students? The result from this study will identify current level of knowledge which will help in designing targeted health education programs to enhance awareness and understanding of cervical cancer screening among Public Health students. This improvement can contribute to creating a more informed, proactive society as the findings will provide valuable insights into the factors influencing their decision-making processes regarding cervical cancer screening. This information can be used to address misconceptions, fears, or barriers that may exist, thereby promoting positive behavioral changes. METHODS The study area was the Department of Public Health, University of Calabar, situated in Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria. The study design was a descriptive cross-sectional study with the use of semi structured questionnaires and, the study population included female Public Health students in the University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria. The sample size was estimated using the Fisher’s formula as cited by (Ekanem & Ekpenyong, 2019) [6]; Therefore: Z = 95% (1.96) p = 27.8% = 0.278 [7] q = 1 - 0.278 = 0.722 d² = 5% = (0.05) ² = 0.0025 Assuming a non-response rate of 10% (0.1) n = 344.4 n = 344 The instrument for data collection was a semi-structured questionnaire prepared based on the research objectives. The questionnaire was subjected to a pre-test among students in the department of Nursing Science. Reliability of the instrument was established by pilot testing and analyzed using Cronbach Alpha Reliability method. The reliability test for the instruments used to measure knowledge showed a good internal consistency with Cronbach alpha of 0.8, while those measuring attitude, practices, and factors influencing cervical cancer screening had acceptable internal consistency of 0.7 Cronbach alpha respectively. Data was a self-administered questionnaire, designed in English, and consisted of semi-structured questions. Upon completion, questionnaires underwent manual review to verify that all required information had been provided and there was no missing information. Subsequently, pertinent data were meticulously recorded, sanitized, and examined using Microsoft Excel. Following this, the data was transferred to Statistical Product and Service Solutions (SPSS) Version 23 for additional analysis. The Chi-square test was conducted to test the research hypotheses and Bloom’s cut off was used to score. Ethical Approval: The study received ethical approval from the Ethics and Research Committee within the Public Health Department of the University of Calabar. Informed consent was obtained from all participants; they had the option to participate voluntarily and withdraw from the study at any time without facing any negative consequences. RESULTS A total of 344 eligible respondents participated in the study, 343 were able to complete the questionnaire amounting to a response rate of 99.7%. Sociodemographic characteristics of respondents Table 1 shows the sociodemographic characteristics of respondents Table 1 Sociodemographic Characteristics of respondents (n = 343) Variables Frequency Percentage (%) Age (years) Mean age of 24.07, SD = 4.3. 16-24 188 54.8 25-30 130 37.9 31-35 22 6.4 36-40 3 0.9 Level 100 L 73 21.3 200 L 88 25.7 300 L 82 23.9 400 L 100 29.2 Religion Christianity 291 84.8 Muslim 29 8.5 Traditional belief 23 6.7 Marital status Single 299 87.1 Married 44 12.9 Ethnicity Igbo 100 29.2 Efik 105 30.6 Hausa 28 8.2 Yoruba 73 21.3 Others 37 10.8 Monthly income N 50,000 51 14.9 Area of resident On campus 182 53.1 Off campus 161 46.9 **Others = Ibibio, Kanuri, Tiv, Edo, Ijaw, and Nupe Knowledge level of respondents towards cervical cancer Figure 1 shows the knowledge level of respondents towards cervical cancer. The data present that majority of the respondents (45.7%) had fair knowledge towards cervical cancer, 27.5% had good knowledge and about 26.8% had poor knowledge towards cervical cancer. Summary of the Attitude of respondents towards cervical cancer screening Figure 2 shows the summary of the attitude of respondents towards cervical cancer screening and the data revealed that a larger portion of the respondents (59.8%) had negative attitude towards cervical screening, while 40.2% of the respondents showed positive attitude towards it. Practice level of cervical cancer screening among female Public Health students Figure 3 illustrates the practice level of cervical cancer screening among respondents. The results revealed that most respondents (82.8%) showed bad practices towards cervical cancer screening. While only 17.2 showed good practice to cervical cancer screening. Factors influencing cervical cancer screening among female Public Health students Figure 4 shows the factors influencing cervical cancer screening and the results revealed fear or discomfort (57.9%) was the most reported factors influencing cervical cancer screening, followed by lack of access to screening facilities (55.3%). About 54.1% of respondents reported that financial constraints were a factor influencing their cervical cancer screening knowledge. Additionally, 51.2% reported that time as a factor and about 38.3% reported that cultural belief and social norms were factors influencing cervical cancer screening. Association between knowledge level and respondents practice level. Table 2 presents a Chi-square analysis to test for the statistical association between respondents and the result revealed that there was a statistically significant association between knowledge level and practice level of the respondents (χ 2 = 18.002, df = 2, P-value = 0.001). Table 2 Association between knowledge level and respondents practice level. Variable Bad Practice Good Practice χ 2 P-value df Good Knowledge 66(23.2%) 28(47.5%) 18.002 0.001* 2 Fair Knowledge 132(46.5%) 25(42.4%) Poor knowledge 86(30.3%) 6(10.2%) *Statistical significance based on P-Value <0.05; P-value= Probability value; χ2= Observed Chi Square statistic DISCUSSION Knowledge level of cervical cancer screening among female Public Health students The results indicate that the majority of female Public Health students have a moderate level of knowledge about cervical cancer screening, with 45.7% of respondents possessing fair knowledge. A smaller proportion, 27.5%, demonstrated good knowledge, while a minimal 26.8% had poor knowledge. These findings suggest that while most students are somewhat informed about cervical cancer screening, there is still room for improvement in their understanding. The results of this study resonate with the result of a study conducted by Ella et al., (2019) [8] on cervical cancer screening amongst female nursing students in a tertiary institution, in South-South Nigeria which revealed that 93.3% of undergraduate nursing students had good knowledge of cervical cancer screening. The fact that 45.7% of respondents in the current study possess only fair knowledge suggests that, despite being students in a health-related field, there may be gaps in their education or awareness regarding this critical public health issue. The Attitude of female Public Health students towards cervical cancer screening The analysis of attitudes toward cervical cancer screening among female Public Health students reveals a concerning trend, with 59.8% of respondents demonstrating a negative attitude towards cervical cancer screening, while only 40.2% exhibited a positive attitude. This suggests that despite their academic background in Public Health, a significant portion of these students may hold misconceptions, fears, or other barriers that prevent them from recognizing the importance of regular cervical cancer screening. Similarly, a study conducted by Dozie et al., (2020) [9] to determine the knowledge and attitude towards cervical cancer among undergraduate students in Imo State, Nigeria showed that 82.6% of the respondents had never done pap smear test and 80% were afraid of going for it. However, the results of this study differ from the results of a study conducted by Oluwole et al. [10], on Knowledge, attitude and uptake of human papillomavirus vaccination among female undergraduates in Lagos State, Nigeria which indicted that majority of the respondents 92.7% had positive attitude towards uptake of HPV vaccine. Practice of cervical cancer screening among female Public Health students The results of the study highlight several important aspects of cervical cancer prevention among female Public Health students. Firstly, the fact that 58.3% of the respondents reported having had sexual experience is critical because sexual activity is a significant risk factor for cervical cancer, primarily due to the potential exposure to the Human Papillomavirus (HPV), which is the leading cause of cervical cancer. Moreover, the finding that 67.0% of the respondents have just one sexual partner is generally a positive indicator, as having fewer sexual partners reduces the risk of HPV transmission. This is consistent with public health messages that advocate for limiting the number of sexual partners as a means of reducing the risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HPV. The fact that 60.3% of the respondents have not been screened for cervical cancer is alarming. Cervical cancer screening, such as Pap smears or HPV testing, is a crucial preventive measure that can detect precancerous changes in cervical cells before they develop into cancer. This is similar to the results of a study conducted by Getaneh et al., (2021) [11] on knowledge, attitude and practices on cervical cancer screening among undergraduate female students in University of Gondar, Northwest Ethiopia which revealed that less than 1% of the respondents had been screened for cervical cancer. Factors influencing cervical cancer screening among female Public Health students. The high prevalence of fear or discomfort (57.9%) as a deterrent to cervical cancer screening among these students underscores the importance of addressing emotional and psychological barriers in health education and screening programs. Fear of the procedure, possible pain, and anxiety about the results are common concerns that can discourage women from participating in screening. These fears are often exacerbated by a lack of understanding about the screening process, which can be mitigated through targeted educational interventions that demystify the procedure and emphasize its benefits. The results of this study are in line with the results of a study by Evina Bolo et al. (2024) [12] on Factors influencing cervical cancer re-screening in sub-Saharan Africa. The results showed that the factors influencing screening included anxiety about the test, the impression of being healthy, and lack of time. The lack of access to screening facilities (55.3%) is another critical factor. This highlights the geographic and logistical challenges that many women face in accessing healthcare services. Inadequate availability of screening centers, especially in rural or underserved areas, can significantly reduce the likelihood of women getting screened. It is recommended that school management should encourage female students to actively seek information on cervical cancer and the importance of regular screening through seminars, workshops, and online resources. Also, management should motivate students to prioritize their health by scheduling regular cervical cancer screenings and encouraging others to do the same. Government should implement community-based outreach programs that involve students as advocates for cervical cancer awareness and screening within local communities and should incorporate comprehensive cervical cancer education into the public health curriculum, including information on risk factors, prevention, and the importance of regular screenings. CONCLUSION In conclusion, this study highlights the critical gaps in knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to cervical cancer screening among female Public Health students at the University of Calabar, Nigeria. Despite having fair knowledge about cervical cancer screening, most students exhibited negative attitudes and poor practices towards screening. Factors such as fear, lack of access to facilities, financial constraints, and cultural beliefs significantly influenced these attitudes and behaviors. The study also identified significant associations between having poor knowledge and exhibiting bad practices. These findings underscore the need for targeted interventions to improve awareness and accessibility of cervical cancer screening services, addressing both educational and systemic barriers. Enhanced education and outreach programs could potentially alter perceptions and practices, ultimately improving cervical cancer screening rates among young women in this region. Declarations No funding was received for the submitted work or during the preparation of the manuscript. Clinical trial number: not applicable. Consent to publish: not applicable. Consent to participate: Informed consent was obtained from all participants; they had the option to participate voluntarily and withdraw from the study at any time without facing any negative consequences. References Organization WH. (2016). UN Joint Global Programme on Cervical Cancer Prevention and Control https://www.who.int/publications/m/item/un-joint-global-programme-on-cervical-cancer-prevention-and-control Preethi KA, Lakshmanan G, Sekar D. Antagomir technology in the treatment of different types of cancer. Epigenomics. 2021;13(7):481–4. https://doi.org/10.2217/epi-2020-0439 . Taneja N, Chawla B, Awasthi AA, Shrivastav KD, Jaggi VK, Janardhanan R. Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice on Cervical Cancer and Screening Among Women in India: A Review. Cancer Control. 2021;28:10732748211010799. https://doi.org/10.1177/10732748211010799 . Tekle T, Wolka E, Nega B, Kumma WP, Koyira MM. Knowledge, Attitude and Practice Towards Cervical Cancer Screening Among Women and Associated Factors in Hospitals of Wolaita Zone, Southern Ethiopia. Cancer Manag Res. 2020;12:993–1005. https://doi.org/10.2147/cmar.S240364 . Šarenac T, Mikov M. Cervical Cancer, Different Treatments and Importance of Bile Acids as Therapeutic Agents in This Disease. Front Pharmacol. 2019;10:484. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2019.00484 . Ekanem E, Ekpenyong B. Conducting Evidence-based Research. Interventions and Observational Analytic Studies; 2019. Shrestha S, Dhakal P. Knowledge, Attitude and Practice Regarding Cervical Cancer Screening Among Women Attending a Teaching Hospital, Bharatpur, Chitwan. J Family Reprod Health. 2017;11(1):18–23. Ella RE, Duke E, Esienumoh E, Nyah V, Uka VK. Cervical Cancer Screening amongst Female Nursing Students in a Tertiary Institution, in South South Nigeria. Global J Health Sci. 2019;12(1):165. Dozie UW, Nwadi CL, Umunakwe CP, Asuzu NE, Obikonu IR, Dozie INS. Knowledge and attitude towards cervical cancer: a case study of undergraduate students in Imo State, Nigeria. Open Access Libr J. 2020;7(6):1–11. Oluwole EO, Idowu OM, Adejimi AA, Balogun MR, Osanyin GE. Knowledge, attitude and uptake of human papillomavirus vaccination among female undergraduates in Lagos State, Nigeria. J family Med Prim care. 2019;8(11):3627–33. Getaneh A, Tegene B, Belachew T. Knowledge, attitude and practices on cervical cancer screening among undergraduate female students in University of Gondar, Northwest Ethiopia: an institution based cross sectional study. BMC Public Health. 2021;21:1–9. Evina Bolo S, Kenfack B, Wisniak A, Tankeu G, Yakam V, Moukam A, Petignat P. Factors influencing cervical cancer re-screening in a semi-rural health district of Cameroon: a cohort study. BMC Womens Health. 2024;24(1):76. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12905-024-02917-3 . Additional Declarations No competing interests reported. Cite Share Download PDF Status: Published Journal Publication published 30 Jan, 2026 Read the published version in Discover Public Health → Version 1 posted Editorial decision: Revision requested 01 Jul, 2025 Reviews received at journal 05 Jun, 2025 Reviewers agreed at journal 04 Jun, 2025 Reviews received at journal 30 May, 2025 Reviewers agreed at journal 30 May, 2025 Reviews received at journal 29 May, 2025 Reviewers agreed at journal 29 May, 2025 Reviewers agreed at journal 28 May, 2025 Reviewers invited by journal 20 May, 2025 Editor assigned by journal 08 May, 2025 Submission checks completed at journal 08 May, 2025 First submitted to journal 27 Apr, 2025 You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. As a division of Research Square Company, we’re committed to making research communication faster, fairer, and more useful. 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Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-6541442","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Research Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":459412409,"identity":"b58926b8-9e05-4ca0-862a-b21a4c08b56a","order_by":0,"name":"Stephenie Nzubechi 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Cancer as a major NCD, is linked to irregular cell growth that has the potential to invade or spread to various parts of the body (Preethi et al., 2021) [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR2\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e]. Cervical cancer specifically is the third most common cancer in women and a worldwide public health issue that stands out as a major contributor to illness and death among females globally. The primary factor contributing to the development of cervical cancer is the infection with specific types of human papilloma virus (HPV), namely HPV 16 and HPV 18 (Taneja et al., 2021) [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR3\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e]. Annually, approximately 12,000 new cases of cervical cancer are diagnosed in Nigeria. If this trend persists, over one million women will be newly diagnosed with cervical by the year 2050. The mortality rate remains elevated worldwide, largely due to the factors such as delayed detection, advanced disease stages, and the lack of access to cervical cancer screening initiatives especially in many developing nations (Tekle et al., 2020) [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR4\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e4\u003c/span\u003e]. Fortunately, cervical cancer is treatable, thanks to its extended pre-invasive phase. Early detection and timely treatment of cervical cancer in women are essential factors in decreasing mortality rates (Šarenac \u0026amp; Mikov, 2019) [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR5\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e5\u003c/span\u003e].\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eWhile the cross-sectional nature of the study may hinder the establishment of causal relationships, providing a snapshot without capturing changes or trends over time also the study\u0026rsquo;s findings being limited by potential sampling bias - as the research focuses exclusively on the female students, there is no study known to the research that has been conducted on Public Health students who are expected to know the right thing to do regarding prevention of cervical cancer. This study therefore is instituted to determine the Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of cervical cancer screening among female Public Health students in the University of Calabar.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eOur burning questions were: what is the knowledge level of cervical cancer? how is their attitude towards cervical cancer screening? What is the practice level of cervical cancer screening and what are the factors influencing the uptake of cervical screening among these students? The result from this study will identify current level of knowledge which will help in designing targeted health education programs to enhance awareness and understanding of cervical cancer screening among Public Health students. This improvement can contribute to creating a more informed, proactive society as the findings will provide valuable insights into the factors influencing their decision-making processes regarding cervical cancer screening. This information can be used to address misconceptions, fears, or barriers that may exist, thereby promoting positive behavioral changes.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"METHODS","content":"\u003cp\u003eThe study area was the Department of Public Health, University of Calabar, situated in Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria.\u0026nbsp;The study design was a descriptive cross-sectional study with the use of semi structured questionnaires and, the study population included female Public Health students in the University of Calabar,\u0026nbsp;Calabar, Nigeria.\u0026nbsp;The sample size was estimated using the Fisher\u0026rsquo;s formula as cited by (Ekanem \u0026amp; Ekpenyong, 2019) [6];\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg width=\"63\" height=\"40\" src=\"data:image/png;base64,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\" alt=\"image\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTherefore:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eZ = 95% (1.96)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ep = 27.8% = 0.278 [7]\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eq = 1 - 0.278 = 0.722\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ed\u0026sup2; = 5% = (0.05) \u0026sup2; = 0.0025\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg width=\"174\" height=\"40\" src=\"data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAK4AAAAoCAMAAABQOzEZAAAAAXNSR0IArs4c6QAAAJNQTFRFAAAAAAAAAAA6AABmADo6ADpmADqQAGaQAGa2OgAAOgA6OjoAOjqQOmaQOma2OpC2OpDbZgAAZjoAZjo6ZpC2ZpDbZra2ZrbbZrb/kDoAkDpmkGY6kLbbkLb/kNv/tmYAtmY6tpA6tpBmttu2ttv/tv//25A625Bm27Zm2/+22////7Zm/7aQ/9uQ/9u2//+2///b7Bm0MwAAAAF0Uk5TAEDm2GYAAAAJcEhZcwAADsQAAA7EAZUrDhsAAAAZdEVYdFNvZnR3YXJlAE1pY3Jvc29mdCBPZmZpY2V/7TVxAAAC/klEQVRYR+1Ya3ebMAw1dM3K0rRL1i6l3ZqkD5LBCP7/v256WLKhOaQfOMDOwR9aQXTliyzZXIyZxpSBTjJwSKJF3kmkPoKU1/lx+dDHTF3NYR/fuwrVTRz7JPmz2yiK1xTVHuYXxHN/MrlQJOL4AuY9OG4iHLPc2Cf4f6qEPChwFrgV48xDQRBhtIHJDvEzAKrV4o1w+9+n4GWyNhk52vQ2NxlEsI8AqKBybPo1N8fl1QecB4XOApc4Z9ju7/5IdZbfgIBNv+MfNxvktjiRXnyuyjOqloDBkcGKIGWwwKMxGiBypqFwNdo4c3wYRNdsgKlEKhNYV/4V1voBLokXPZLB6R0wYR9/Xxo0QDVBfE3zOrg3PkUX8gXLuLrC9YT6u6z32Baut0yLs+Dp4hPiKChfdqcdYIxHNUHsTJmQwlHjU3RNuYriBdRBtZy9maMUhGA3M+nJxszZNafZ5Qsvy0RSp6gGyCdX4EaNNrau2MQFS4Mj+8fn3yrIu7OobCW72Y0rioK7lGtXC1NQXOu6JOyMngJXo5Vtgy72CHdas1u2P6WjaFJJTwHTlTeUXHocrkSl61EhyDezwtVoZ+vo8vLZHT00blJHJccrDXWrnVtEa9zxEAMHH/jTanC+bIqV5LaNEOVAXCiSXIX7OK10yx/Q/F/uOUgWu+12B3v/XbgV2RROgCzinQG24yS6fEYM3MeBt6VR8Jhw4DqKQTyTc1Z4EOdMdqefpwxMGegiA0V08bqSE9U1IL/pjXMU8W3uD8VxcgxY4WHqT+gGXdo1RzT47Be6/0MxtGV3fLXRWgyjowsSYJbDW7077UfHbzyETsm8vtkF8tuoLYbK74J2m+G/qATyG14FnX4XQ2X8BynSd1JlvlB+q13T5PQS31ROA9EN5bfadU1O6mckdEM9q3Zd5JJQ+JvM+VvUsOM8XS+/D8O3Wii/1Q5vBvJbP10NmOFQfqvtb4byewx0Q/kttlFD5Dc13wiKQTQ7y28nxdXwOnw3h88Bvwasgn6m/gcn4F0bWrJGqgAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==\" alt=\"image\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg width=\"175\" height=\"38\" src=\"data:image/png;base64,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\" alt=\"image\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg width=\"59\" height=\"34\" src=\"data:image/png;base64,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\" alt=\"image\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAssuming a non-response rate of 10% (0.1)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg width=\"91\" height=\"38\" src=\"data:image/png;base64,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\" alt=\"image\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg width=\"63\" height=\"38\" src=\"data:image/png;base64,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\" alt=\"image\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003en = 344.4\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003en = 344\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe instrument for data collection was a semi-structured questionnaire prepared based on the research objectives. The questionnaire was subjected to a pre-test among students in the department of Nursing Science. Reliability of the instrument was established by pilot testing and analyzed using Cronbach Alpha Reliability method. The reliability test for the instruments used to measure knowledge showed a good internal consistency with Cronbach alpha of 0.8, while those measuring attitude, practices, and factors influencing cervical cancer screening had acceptable internal consistency of 0.7 Cronbach alpha respectively.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eData was a self-administered questionnaire, designed in English, and consisted of semi-structured questions. Upon completion, questionnaires underwent manual review to verify that all required information had been provided and there was no missing information. Subsequently, pertinent data were meticulously recorded, sanitized, and examined using Microsoft Excel. Following this, the data was transferred to Statistical Product and Service Solutions (SPSS) Version 23 for additional analysis. The Chi-square test was conducted to test the research hypotheses and Bloom\u0026rsquo;s cut off was used to score.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEthical Approval:\u003c/strong\u003e The study received ethical approval from the Ethics and Research Committee within the Public Health Department of the University of Calabar. Informed consent was obtained from all participants; they had the option to participate voluntarily and withdraw from the study at any time without facing any negative consequences.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"RESULTS","content":"\u003cp\u003eA total of 344 eligible respondents participated in the study, 343 were able to complete the questionnaire amounting to a response rate of 99.7%.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSociodemographic characteristics of respondents\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTable 1 shows the sociodemographic characteristics of respondents\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTable 1 Sociodemographic Characteristics of respondents (n = 343)\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ctable border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" width=\"640\"\u003e\n \u003ctbody\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 52.8125%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVariables\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 26.5625%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrequency\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 20.625%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePercentage (%)\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 52.8125%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAge (years)\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd colspan=\"2\" valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 47.1875%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMean age of 24.07, SD = 4.3.\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 52.8125%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e16-24\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 26.5625%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e188\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 20.625%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e54.8\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 52.8125%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e25-30\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 26.5625%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e130\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 20.625%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e37.9\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 52.8125%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e31-35\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 26.5625%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e22\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 20.625%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e6.4\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 52.8125%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e36-40\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 26.5625%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e3\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 20.625%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.9\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 52.8125%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLevel\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 26.5625%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 20.625%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 52.8125%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e100 L\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 26.5625%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e73\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 20.625%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e21.3\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 52.8125%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e200 L\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 26.5625%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e88\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 20.625%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e25.7\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 52.8125%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e300 L\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 26.5625%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e82\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 20.625%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e23.9\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 52.8125%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e400 L\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 26.5625%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e100\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 20.625%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e29.2\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 52.8125%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReligion\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 26.5625%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 20.625%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 52.8125%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eChristianity\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 26.5625%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e291\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 20.625%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e84.8\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 52.8125%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMuslim\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 26.5625%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e29\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 20.625%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e8.5\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 52.8125%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eTraditional belief\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 26.5625%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e23\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 20.625%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e6.7\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 52.8125%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMarital status\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 26.5625%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 20.625%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 52.8125%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eSingle\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 26.5625%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e299\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 20.625%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e87.1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 52.8125%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMarried\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 26.5625%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e44\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 20.625%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e12.9\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 52.8125%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEthnicity\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 26.5625%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 20.625%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 52.8125%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eIgbo\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 26.5625%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e100\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 20.625%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e29.2\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 52.8125%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eEfik\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 26.5625%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e105\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 20.625%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e30.6\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 52.8125%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eHausa\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 26.5625%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e28\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 20.625%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e8.2\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 52.8125%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eYoruba\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 26.5625%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e73\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 20.625%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e21.3\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 52.8125%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eOthers\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 26.5625%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e37\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 20.625%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e10.8\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 52.8125%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMonthly income\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 26.5625%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 20.625%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 52.8125%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;N10,000\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 26.5625%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e57\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 20.625%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e16.6\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 52.8125%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eN 11,000-30,000\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 26.5625%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e123\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 20.625%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e35.9\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 52.8125%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eN 31,000-50,000\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 26.5625%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e112\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 20.625%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e32.7\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 52.8125%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026gt; N 50,000\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 26.5625%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e51\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 20.625%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e14.9\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 52.8125%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eArea of resident\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 26.5625%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 20.625%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 52.8125%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eOn campus\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 26.5625%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e182\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 20.625%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e53.1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 52.8125%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eOff campus\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 26.5625%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e161\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 20.625%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; 46.9\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/tbody\u003e\n\u003c/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e**Others = Ibibio, Kanuri, Tiv, Edo, Ijaw, and Nupe\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKnowledge level of respondents towards cervical cancer\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFigure 1 shows the knowledge level of respondents towards cervical cancer. The data present that majority of the respondents (45.7%) had fair knowledge towards cervical cancer, 27.5% had good knowledge and about 26.8% had poor knowledge towards cervical cancer.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSummary of the Attitude of respondents towards cervical cancer screening\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFigure 2 shows the summary of the attitude of respondents towards cervical cancer screening and the data revealed that a larger portion of the respondents (59.8%) had negative attitude towards cervical screening, while 40.2% of the respondents showed positive attitude towards it.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePractice level of cervical cancer screening among female Public Health students\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFigure 3 illustrates the practice level of cervical cancer screening among respondents. The results revealed that most respondents (82.8%) showed bad practices towards cervical cancer screening. While only 17.2 showed good practice to cervical cancer screening.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFactors influencing cervical cancer screening among female Public Health students\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFigure 4 shows the factors influencing cervical cancer screening and the results revealed fear or discomfort (57.9%) was the most reported factors influencing cervical cancer screening, followed by lack of access to screening facilities (55.3%). About 54.1% of respondents reported that financial constraints were a factor influencing their cervical cancer screening knowledge. Additionally, 51.2% reported that time as a factor and about 38.3% reported that cultural belief and social norms were factors influencing cervical cancer screening.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAssociation between knowledge level and respondents practice level.\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTable 2 presents a Chi-square analysis to test for the statistical association between respondents and the result revealed that there was a statistically significant association between knowledge level and practice level of the respondents (\u0026chi;\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e = 18.002, df = 2, P-value = 0.001).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTable 2\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAssociation between knowledge level and respondents practice level.\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ctable border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" width=\"643\"\u003e\n \u003ctbody\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 23.4837%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eVariable\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 16.1742%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eBad Practice\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 17.5739%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eGood Practice\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 10.4199%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026chi;\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 16.1742%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eP-value\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 16.1742%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003edf\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 23.4837%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eGood Knowledge\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 16.1742%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e66(23.2%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 17.5739%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e28(47.5%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 10.4199%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e18.002\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 16.1742%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.001*\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 16.1742%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 23.4837%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eFair Knowledge\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 16.1742%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e132(46.5%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 17.5739%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e25(42.4%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 10.4199%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 16.1742%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 16.1742%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 23.4837%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003ePoor knowledge\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 16.1742%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e86(30.3%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 17.5739%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e6(10.2%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 10.4199%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 16.1742%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 16.1742%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/tbody\u003e\n\u003c/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e*Statistical significance based on P-Value \u0026lt;0.05; P-value= Probability value;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u0026chi;2= Observed Chi Square statistic\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"DISCUSSION","content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKnowledge level of cervical cancer screening among female Public Health students\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe results indicate that the majority of female Public Health students have a moderate level of knowledge about cervical cancer screening, with 45.7% of respondents possessing fair knowledge. A smaller proportion, 27.5%, demonstrated good knowledge, while a minimal 26.8% had poor knowledge. These findings suggest that while most students are somewhat informed about cervical cancer screening, there is still room for improvement in their understanding. The results of this study resonate with the result of a study conducted by Ella et al., (2019) [8] on cervical cancer screening amongst female nursing students in a tertiary institution, in South-South Nigeria which revealed that 93.3% of undergraduate nursing students had good knowledge of cervical cancer screening. The fact that 45.7% of respondents in the current study possess only fair knowledge suggests that, despite being students in a health-related field, there may be gaps in their education or awareness regarding this critical public health issue.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u0026nbsp;Attitude of female Public Health students towards cervical cancer screening\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe analysis of attitudes toward cervical cancer screening among female Public Health students reveals a concerning trend, with 59.8% of respondents demonstrating a negative attitude towards cervical cancer screening, while only 40.2% exhibited a positive attitude. This suggests that despite their academic background in Public Health, a significant portion of these students may hold misconceptions, fears, or other barriers that prevent them from recognizing the importance of regular cervical cancer screening. Similarly, a study conducted by Dozie et al., (2020) [9] to determine the knowledge and attitude towards cervical cancer among undergraduate students in Imo State, Nigeria showed that 82.6% of the respondents had never done pap smear test and 80% were afraid of going for it. However, the results of this study differ from the results of a study conducted by Oluwole et al. [10], on Knowledge, attitude and uptake of human papillomavirus vaccination among female undergraduates in Lagos State, Nigeria which indicted that majority of the respondents 92.7% had positive attitude towards uptake of HPV vaccine. \u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePractice of cervical cancer screening among female Public Health students\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe results of the study highlight several important aspects of cervical cancer prevention among female Public Health students. Firstly, the fact that 58.3% of the respondents reported having had sexual experience is critical because sexual activity is a significant risk factor for cervical cancer, primarily due to the potential exposure to the Human Papillomavirus (HPV), which is the leading cause of cervical cancer. Moreover, the finding that 67.0% of the respondents have just one sexual partner is generally a positive indicator, as having fewer sexual partners reduces the risk of HPV transmission. This is consistent with public health messages that advocate for limiting the number of sexual partners as a means of reducing the risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HPV. The fact that 60.3% of the respondents have not been screened for cervical cancer is alarming. Cervical cancer screening, such as Pap smears or HPV testing, is a crucial preventive measure that can detect precancerous changes in cervical cells before they develop into cancer. This is similar to the results of a study conducted by Getaneh et al., (2021) [11] on knowledge, attitude and practices on cervical cancer screening among undergraduate female students in University of Gondar, Northwest Ethiopia which revealed that less than 1% of the respondents had been screened for cervical cancer.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFactors\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u0026nbsp;influencing cervical cancer screening among female Public Health students.\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe high prevalence of fear or discomfort (57.9%) as a deterrent to cervical cancer screening among these students underscores the importance of addressing emotional and psychological barriers in health education and screening programs. Fear of the procedure, possible pain, and anxiety about the results are common concerns that can discourage women from participating in screening. These fears are often exacerbated by a lack of understanding about the screening process, which can be mitigated through targeted educational interventions that demystify the procedure and emphasize its benefits. The results of this study are in line with the results of a study by Evina Bolo et al. (2024) [12] on Factors influencing cervical cancer re-screening in sub-Saharan Africa. The results showed that the factors influencing screening included anxiety about the test, the impression of being healthy, and lack of time. The lack of access to screening facilities (55.3%) is another critical factor. This highlights the geographic and logistical challenges that many women face in accessing healthcare services. Inadequate availability of screening centers, especially in rural or underserved areas, can significantly reduce the likelihood of women getting screened.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is recommended that school management should encourage female students to actively seek information on cervical cancer and the importance of regular screening through seminars, workshops, and online resources. Also, management should motivate students to prioritize their health by scheduling regular cervical cancer screenings and encouraging others to do the same. Government should implement community-based outreach programs that involve students as advocates for cervical cancer awareness and screening within local communities and should incorporate comprehensive cervical cancer education into the public health curriculum, including information on risk factors, prevention, and the importance of regular screenings.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"CONCLUSION","content":"\u003cp\u003eIn conclusion, this study highlights the critical gaps in knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to cervical cancer screening among female Public Health students at the University of Calabar, Nigeria. Despite having fair knowledge about cervical cancer screening, most students exhibited negative attitudes and poor practices towards screening. Factors such as fear, lack of access to facilities, financial constraints, and cultural beliefs significantly influenced these attitudes and behaviors. The study also identified significant associations between having poor knowledge and exhibiting bad practices. These findings underscore the need for targeted interventions to improve awareness and accessibility of cervical cancer screening services, addressing both educational and systemic barriers. Enhanced education and outreach programs could potentially alter perceptions and practices, ultimately improving cervical cancer screening rates among young women in this region.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Declarations","content":"\u003cp\u003eNo funding was received for the submitted work or during the preparation of the manuscript.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eClinical trial number: not applicable.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eConsent to publish: not applicable.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eConsent to participate: Informed consent was obtained from all participants; they had the option to participate voluntarily and withdraw from the study at any time without facing any negative consequences.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"References","content":"\u003col\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOrganization WH. (2016). \u003cem\u003eUN Joint Global Programme on Cervical Cancer Prevention and Control\u003c/em\u003e \u003cspan class=\"ExternalRef\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"RefSource\"\u003ehttps://www.who.int/publications/m/item/un-joint-global-programme-on-cervical-cancer-prevention-and-control\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan address=\"https://www.who.int/publications/m/item/un-joint-global-programme-on-cervical-cancer-prevention-and-control\" targettype=\"URL\" class=\"RefTarget\"\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePreethi KA, Lakshmanan G, Sekar D. Antagomir technology in the treatment of different types of cancer. 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Global J Health Sci. 2019;12(1):165.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDozie UW, Nwadi CL, Umunakwe CP, Asuzu NE, Obikonu IR, Dozie INS. Knowledge and attitude towards cervical cancer: a case study of undergraduate students in Imo State, Nigeria. Open Access Libr J. 2020;7(6):1\u0026ndash;11.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOluwole EO, Idowu OM, Adejimi AA, Balogun MR, Osanyin GE. Knowledge, attitude and uptake of human papillomavirus vaccination among female undergraduates in Lagos State, Nigeria. J family Med Prim care. 2019;8(11):3627\u0026ndash;33.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGetaneh A, Tegene B, Belachew T. Knowledge, attitude and practices on cervical cancer screening among undergraduate female students in University of Gondar, Northwest Ethiopia: an institution based cross sectional study. BMC Public Health. 2021;21:1\u0026ndash;9.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEvina Bolo S, Kenfack B, Wisniak A, Tankeu G, Yakam V, Moukam A, Petignat P. Factors influencing cervical cancer re-screening in a semi-rural health district of Cameroon: a cohort study. BMC Womens Health. 2024;24(1):76. \u003cspan class=\"ExternalRef\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"RefSource\"\u003ehttps://doi.org/10.1186/s12905-024-02917-3\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan address=\"10.1186/s12905-024-02917-3\" targettype=\"DOI\" class=\"RefTarget\"\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003c/ol\u003e"}],"fulltextSource":"","fullText":"","funders":[],"hasAdminPriorityOnWorkflow":false,"hasManuscriptDocX":true,"hasOptedInToPreprint":true,"hasPassedJournalQc":"","hasAnyPriority":false,"hideJournal":false,"highlight":"","institution":"","isAcceptedByJournal":true,"isAuthorSuppliedPdf":false,"isDeskRejected":"","isHiddenFromSearch":false,"isInQc":false,"isInWorkflow":false,"isPdf":false,"isPdfUpToDate":true,"isWithdrawnOrRetracted":false,"journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"discover-public-health","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"externalIdentity":"","sideBox":"Learn more about [Discover Public Health](https://link.springer.com/journal/12982)","snPcode":"12982","submissionUrl":"https://submission.springernature.com/new-submission/12982/3","title":"Discover Public Health","twitterHandle":"","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":true,"editorialSystem":"stoa","reportingPortfolio":"Discover Series","inReviewEnabled":true,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true},"keywords":"Cervical cancer, screening, knowledge, attitude, practices","lastPublishedDoi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-6541442/v1","lastPublishedDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-6541442/v1","license":{"name":"CC BY 4.0","url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"},"manuscriptAbstract":"\u003cp\u003eCervical cancer is the second most common cancer among women aged 15 to 44, a period marked by high reproductive activity. Early detection and timely treatment are crucial in reducing mortality rates. This study was conducted between January 2024 and October 2024 and examined the knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to cervical cancer screening among female Public Health students at the University of Calabar, Nigeria. The research was conducted as a cross-sectional descriptive study focusing on four objectives, four research questions, and two hypotheses. A sample of 344 participants was selected using a two-stage sampling technique. Data collection involved a self-administered questionnaire, with analysis conducted using SPSS Version 23 and Microsoft Excel to calculate frequencies and percentages. The findings revealed that 157(45.7%) of respondents had fair knowledge of cervical cancer screening, while 205(59.8%) had a negative attitude towards it. Moreover, 284(82.8%) exhibited poor screening practices. Key barrier to cervical cancer screening included fear or discomfort 198(57.9%), lack of access to facilities 189(55.3%), financial constraints 185(54.1%), and time limitations 175(51.2%). Cultural beliefs and social norms affected 131(38.3%) of participants. Significant associations were found between poor knowledge and inadequate practices where P\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.001 (P\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05). This study highlights the critical gaps in knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to cervical cancer screening among female Public Health students at the University of Calabar, Nigeria. The findings underscore the need for targeted interventions to improve awareness and accessibility of cervical cancer screening services, addressing both educational and systemic barriers.\u003c/p\u003e","manuscriptTitle":"Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Cervical Cancer Screening among Female Public Health Students in the University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria.","msid":"","msnumber":"","nonDraftVersions":[{"code":1,"date":"2025-05-23 07:05:08","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-6541442/v1","editorialEvents":[{"type":"communityComments","content":0},{"type":"decision","content":"Revision requested","date":"2025-07-01T16:56:14+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvitedReview","content":"","date":"2025-06-05T05:21:53+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"101061348372953501638042787226814541185","date":"2025-06-05T03:56:27+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvitedReview","content":"","date":"2025-05-30T21:37:05+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"207664813958619303460951145550289676843","date":"2025-05-30T09:41:02+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvitedReview","content":"","date":"2025-05-29T21:11:21+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"11038589434087524254059810604898617659","date":"2025-05-29T19:55:57+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"120757028178440485246478793016386792859","date":"2025-05-28T20:13:07+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewersInvited","content":"","date":"2025-05-20T14:53:59+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorAssigned","content":"","date":"2025-05-08T09:23:05+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"checksComplete","content":"","date":"2025-05-08T09:19:47+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"submitted","content":"Discover Public Health","date":"2025-04-27T15:41:25+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""}],"status":"published","journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"discover-public-health","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"externalIdentity":"","sideBox":"Learn more about [Discover Public Health](https://link.springer.com/journal/12982)","snPcode":"12982","submissionUrl":"https://submission.springernature.com/new-submission/12982/3","title":"Discover Public Health","twitterHandle":"","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":true,"editorialSystem":"stoa","reportingPortfolio":"Discover Series","inReviewEnabled":true,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true}}],"origin":"","ownerIdentity":"87eb14a5-8ad3-4e31-bbaa-5a54a15c92c6","owner":[],"postedDate":"May 23rd, 2025","published":true,"recentEditorialEvents":[],"rejectedJournal":[],"revision":"","amendment":"","status":"published-in-journal","subjectAreas":[],"tags":[],"updatedAt":"2026-02-02T16:05:52+00:00","versionOfRecord":{"articleIdentity":"rs-6541442","link":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s12982-026-01468-2","journal":{"identity":"discover-public-health","isVorOnly":false,"title":"Discover Public Health"},"publishedOn":"2026-01-30 15:59:29","publishedOnDateReadable":"January 30th, 2026"},"versionCreatedAt":"2025-05-23 07:05:08","video":"","vorDoi":"10.1186/s12982-026-01468-2","vorDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s12982-026-01468-2","workflowStages":[]},"version":"v1","identity":"rs-6541442","journalConfig":"researchsquare"},"__N_SSP":true},"page":"/article/[identity]/[[...version]]","query":{"redirect":"/article/rs-6541442","identity":"rs-6541442","version":["v1"]},"buildId":"8U1c8b4HqxoKbykW_rLl7","isFallback":false,"isExperimentalCompile":false,"dynamicIds":[84888],"gssp":true,"scriptLoader":[]}