Knowledge, attitude and practice of cervical cancer screening (pap smear) among female nurses in Nnewi, South Eastern Nigeria.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the knowledge and practice of cervical cancer screening among practicing female nurses with a view to sensitizing them as a first step towards increasing screening uptake in the community.


METHODS
A self administered questionnaire survey of all the female nurses working in Nnamdi Azikiwe university Teaching Hospital Nnewi center.


RESULTS
144 out of 166 questionnaires were correctly completed and returned. 122 (87%) were aware of the existence of screening services. Although 9.3% had lost relations to cancer of the cervix, only 5.7% had ever undergone a pap smear. While 52 (37.1%) had no reason for not screening, 21 (15%) were afraid of the possible outcome and 35 (25%) felt they were not likely candidates for cancer of the cervix.


CONCLUSIONS
knowledge of cervical cancer screening services among female nurses in Nnewi is high while uptake rate is abysmally poor. There is need to further educate the nurses who will play a major role in enlightening the public on the availability and need for cervical screening services.
Udigwe
G O
GO
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital Nnewi Anambra State, Nigeria.
D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D005260:Female; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006784:Hospitals, Teaching; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009549:Nigeria; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000193:education* / Q000523:psychology; D065006:Papanicolaou Test; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014626:Vaginal Smears / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*