Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices of Healthcare Workers on Cervical Cancer Screening in Rural Healthcare Facilities of the Eastern Cape.

Introduction/Objectives: Cervical cancer screening is a vital preventive strategy, yet the extent of healthcare workers' knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) can significantly influence its uptake, especially in rural settings. This study aimed to explore the knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding cervical cancer screening among nurses in selected rural health facilities of the Eastern Cape province, South Africa. Methods: A cross-sectional, quantitative study was conducted among 108 nurses selected from 12 health facilities across two districts in the Eastern Cape. All participants had received some training on cervical cancer screening. Structured questionnaires were used to assess knowledge, attitudes, and practices. Comparisons between professional nurses (higher academic qualification) and enrolled nurses (lower academic qualification) were made using appropriate statistical tests. Results: Findings revealed significant disparities in knowledge and attitudes between professional and enrolled nurses. Professional nurses demonstrated significantly better knowledge and more positive attitudes towards cervical cancer screening than enrolled nurses, who showed inadequate knowledge (p = 0.021) and negative attitudes (p = 0.023). Despite universal training, the level of academic qualification remained a key factor influencing KAP. Conclusions: Academic qualification is closely linked to knowledge and attitudes regarding cervical cancer screening among nurses. Health workforce policies and programmatic initiatives should prioritize targeted training for enrolled nurses, focusing on addressing specific knowledge and skill gaps. Tailored interventions are recommended to enhance competencies and improve cervical cancer screening practices among all nursing cadres.