Knowledge of cervical cancer, associated risk factors, and practice of cervical cancer screening among female students in higher education institutions in Buea, Cameroon, a cross-sectional study

IF 1.7 Q2 PUBLIC, ENVIRONMENTAL & OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH

Clinical Epidemiology and Global Health Pub Date : 2025-09-13 DOI:10.1016/j.cegh.2025.102173

Elisabeth Menkem Zeuko'o , Awungafac Tendem , Eleonore Ngounou , Thomas Obinchemti Egbe

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Problem considered

In Cameroon, women's cancer-related mortality is primarily caused by cervical cancer. Young girls of childbearing age are exposed due to little or no knowledge of cervical cancer. This study aims to assess the knowledge of cervical cancer, associated risk factors, and practice of cervical cancer screening among girls in higher institutions of Buea.

Methods

The study is a cross-sectional survey conducted among girls enrolled in Buea's higher education institutions from December 1, 2022, to May 31, 2023. A multistage sampling strategy was used to enroll 500 participants in total for the study. Data were gathered using a semi-structured questionnaire that had been pretested. To ascertain their level of knowledge and practices, they were scored. The highest score on this scale was 13 for the level of knowledge, a 50 % cutoff point was used where a score of 7 and above was considered adequate knowledge, while a score of less than 7 was classified as inadequate knowledge. Also, the highest score on this scale was 6 for the practices, a 50 % cutoff point was used where a score of 3 and above was considered good practice, while a score of less than 3 is classified as poor practice.

Using bivariate and multivariate logistic regression models, factors related to knowledge of cervical cancer were found. A p-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

A total of 500 participants took part in the study with about 180 (36 %) having good knowledge with 320(64 %) having inadequate knowledge about HPV. Also, 12 (2 %)were screened for cervical cancer and had good practice of cervical cancer screening with 488(97.6 %) having poor practice. Muslim's participants were at higher risk of inadequate knowledge on cervical cancer than Christians (AOR 15.75; 95 % CI: 1.60,55.28, P = 0.018). About 18 (3.6 %) displayed family history of cervical cancer, 215 (57 %) resulted from smoking, 207 (58.6 %) consumed alcoholic products 207 (41.4 %) used oral contraceptive and 37 (13.6 %) had multiple sexual partners which were lifestyle factors associated with cervical cancer.

Conclusion

The level of knowledge on cervical cancer and the practice of cervical cancer screening were poor among participants. Lifestyle factors were family history, smoking, alcohol consumption, oral contraceptive and multiple sexual partners. Therefore, health education campaigns, improving access to screening facilities, addressing barriers like cost and fear is necessary.

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喀麦隆布埃亚高等院校女学生宫颈癌知识、相关危险因素和宫颈癌筛查实践的横断面研究

在喀麦隆，与癌症有关的妇女死亡率主要是由宫颈癌引起的。由于对子宫颈癌知之甚少或一无所知，育龄少女易患子宫颈癌。本研究旨在评估Buea高等院校女孩对宫颈癌的认识、相关危险因素和宫颈癌筛查的做法。方法本研究是对2022年12月1日至2023年5月31日在中国高等教育机构就读的女生进行的横断面调查。采用多阶段抽样策略，共招募500名参与者进行研究。数据是通过预先测试的半结构化问卷收集的。为了确定他们的知识和实践水平，对他们进行了评分。在这个量表上，知识水平的最高分是13分，在7分及以上被认为是足够的知识时，使用50%的分界点，而得分低于7分则被归类为知识不足。同样，在这个尺度上，实践的最高分是6分，使用50%的分界点，其中得分为3分及以上被认为是好的实践，而得分低于3分则被归类为差的实践。采用双变量和多变量logistic回归模型，发现与宫颈癌知识相关的因素。p值为<；0.05被认为具有统计学意义。结果共有500名参与者参加了这项研究，其中180人（36%）对HPV有良好的了解，320人（64%）对HPV有不足的了解。此外，12人（2%）接受过子宫颈癌筛查，并有良好的子宫颈癌筛查做法，488人（97.6%）做法不佳。穆斯林参与者对宫颈癌知识不足的风险高于基督徒（AOR 15.75; 95% CI: 1.60,55.28, P = 0.018）。约18人（3.6%）有宫颈癌家族史，215人（57%）吸烟，207人（58.6%）饮酒，207人（41.4%）使用口服避孕药，37人（13.6%）有多个性伴侣，这些都是与宫颈癌相关的生活方式因素。结论受访人群对宫颈癌知识的了解程度较低，对宫颈癌筛查的了解程度较低。生活方式因素包括家族史、吸烟、饮酒、口服避孕药和多个性伴侣。因此，必须开展健康教育运动，改善获得筛查设施的机会，解决费用和恐惧等障碍。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Clinical Epidemiology and Global Health PUBLIC, ENVIRONMENTAL & OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH-

CiteScore

4.60

自引率

7.70%

发文量

218

审稿时长

66 days

期刊介绍： Clinical Epidemiology and Global Health (CEGH) is a multidisciplinary journal and it is published four times (March, June, September, December) a year. The mandate of CEGH is to promote articles on clinical epidemiology with focus on developing countries in the context of global health. We also accept articles from other countries. It publishes original research work across all disciplines of medicine and allied sciences, related to clinical epidemiology and global health. The journal publishes Original articles, Review articles, Evidence Summaries, Letters to the Editor. All articles published in CEGH are peer-reviewed and published online for immediate access and citation.