KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICE OF PAPANICOLAU SMEARS AMONG ANTENATAL PATIENTS IN KANO

Abstract

Background: Cervical cancer is preventable by early detection and
treatment of the pre-invasive stage. In Nigeria, it remained the commonest
gynecological malignancy and a leading cause of death among women. The
aim of the Papanicolaou smear screening program is to reduce morbidity and
mortality resulting from cervical cancer. Improvement in the knowledge of
routine cervical screening will improve the attitude and practice of cervical
screening.
Objective: To determine the knowledge, attitude and practice of
Papanicolaou smear among antenatal patients in Kano.
Study design, Setting and subjects: A pre-tested questionnaire was
administered on 1000 antenatal patients in Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital,
Muhammad Abdullahi Wase Specialist Hospital and Murtala Muhammad
Specialist Hospital, Kano.
Main outcome Measures: Knowledge, attitude and practice among
antenatal patients. The outcome form the basis for advocacy, programming
and intervention to improve the uptake of Pap smears in Kano.
Results: Three hundred and eighty (38%) respondents knew about Pap
smear while six hundred and twenty (62%) had no such knowledge. Of those
with knowledge of Pap smear, only 6.5% has had Pap smear test previously.
There was a statistically significant difference in the practice of Pap smear
as a screening procedure between health workers and non-health workers
(p<0.05). The difference in the knowledge of Pap smear between those with
formal education and those with Qur’anic education was statistically
significant (P<0.05), however, the difference in the practice of the test
between the two groups was not statistically significant (p>0.05). The
common sources of information about Pap smear were hospital health
workers (60.3%), school lectures (22.4%), and Newspapers/Magazine
(13.7%). The common reason for not having Pap smear included no
physician’s referral (66.9%), no reason (32.6%), not at risk (23.2%) and did
not know where to do the test (20.9%).
Conclusion: The knowledge, attitude and practice of Papanicolaou smear
among the respondents are poor. To improve the knowledge and practice of
Pap smear, increase awareness campaign involving Islamic teachers
(Mallams), will go a long way to improve the knowledge and practice of Pap
smear.

KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICE OF PAPANICOLAU SMEARS AMONG ANTENATAL PATIENTS IN KANO