title: Awareness, use and main source of information on preventive health examinations: a survey of childbearing women in Uyo, Nigeria.
abstract: The study determined awareness, use and the main source of information about preventive health examinations among 387 childbearing women attending three health facilities in Uyo, Nigeria. Respondents were consenting women aged 15-49 years who had a live birth in the two months preceding the survey. Respondents were interviewed using structured questionnaires during child welfare clinic visits at each facility. Awareness about pap smears and breast self examination was 14.2% and 35.3% respectively. Testing rates were highest for blood pressure checks, HIV and blood sugar and lowest for Pap smears and mammograms. Health workers were the main informants on preventive tests. Awareness and secondary education enhanced women's uptake of screening services across levels of health care. Secondary education as a minimum and intensified awareness creation about preventive health examinations through media, school based programs, durbars and public health campaigns are vital to the health and well being of women and children.
authors: Department of Community Health, University of Ghana Medical School, Korle Bu, Greater Accra, Ghana. emiliaudf@yahoo.com
authors: Emilia A
authors: EA
authors: Udofia
authors: Christie D
authors: CD
authors: Akwaowo
authors: Uwemedimbuk S
authors: US
authors: Ekanem
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000175:diagnosis; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D008327:Mammography / Q000379:methods; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration; D008875:Middle Aged; D009549:Nigeria; D057240:Patient Preference / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010808:Physical Examination / Q000379:methods; D049590:Postpartum Period; D043762:Reproductive Behavior / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016387:Women's Health