Awareness and knowledge of ovarian cancer symptoms and risk factors among female undergraduates in the university of Ibadan

Abstract

Introduction: Ovarian cancer is the fifth most common malignancy among women in Africa, it affects women more frequently than any other cancer. There are various risk factors and symptoms of ovarian cancer, but women are generally found to lack knowledge on this hence leading to late diagnosis of ovarian cancer in most women. Methods: This study employed a cross sectional survey technique and was conducted among female undergraduate staying in the halls of residence in the university of Ibadan. The total student population was 1496. The sample size was determined using the Taro Yamane formula and the sample size was 351 students which was allocated proportionally to each hall of residence. The research instrument used for the study is a self-administered questionnaire. Using SPSS, the data were analyzed using the frequency, percentage, and chi-square test at a significance level of 0.05%. The chi-square test of independence was used to investigate the association between the age and awareness of ovarian cancer among females in University of Ibadan’s halls of residence. It was also used to investigate the association between the level of knowledge of ovarian cancer risk factors and symptoms among female staying in Queen Elizabeth II Hall and Obafemi Awolowo Hall of residence. Using SPSS, the data were analyzed using the frequency, percentage, and chi-square test at a significance level of 0.05%. Results: The results showed that 92% of female undergraduate students at the University of Ibadan are well-informed about ovarian cancer and majority of female undergraduates are quite knowledgeable about the symptoms and risks factors of ovarian cancer. The study found that that there is no significant relationship between the ages of the female undergraduate students in University of Ibadan and their awareness of Ovarian cancer and also conclude that there is a significant relationship between the hall of residence of the female undergraduate students in University of Ibadan and their awareness of Ovarian cancer. Conclusion: In conclusion, this study has revealed just like every other related study that most female undergraduate have a considerable high knowledge about the symptoms and risk factors of ovarian cancer however the University management should take the advantage of special occasions like world cancer day should do more sensitization on the symptoms and risk factor of ovarian cancer and other type of cancer particularly in halls of residence with lower level of knowledge on ovarian cancer.