Knowledge and Attitude of Women Attending Aba South Health Center, Abia State towards Cervical Cancer

Cervical cancer, also known as carcinoma of the cervix, is a malignant tumor that originates from the cervix’s squamous or glandular cells. It presents a major health problem for women in developing nations such as Nigeria. This descriptive survey aimed to evaluate the knowledge and attitudes of women attending Aba South Health Center towards cervical cancer. Using systematic sampling, 218 women of reproductive age were selected. Data was gathered through a validated, structured, closed-ended questionnaire. SPSS was used for the statistical analysis, and chi-square tests were used with a level of significance of P≤0.05. Most participants (17.9%) were aged 20–24 years, with 61% having tertiary education. While 62.4% knew about cervical cancer risk factors, 66.5% lacked awareness of symptoms, 66.1% were unfamiliar with screening methods, and 49.5% did not know about preventive strategies. Attitudinally, most women (average score = 3.08) believed they were not at risk, indicating a negative perception. There was no significant correlation between age and knowledge level (P=0.777), but a significant association between education and knowledge was observed (P=0.007). Age and education did not significantly influence attitudes (P=0.416 and P=0.242). These results reveal poor awareness and negative attitudes toward cervical cancer among women of reproductive age. There is a need for enhanced education on cervical cancer’s nature, risks, screening, and prevention. Governments and NGOs should focus on health education policies aimed at cervical cancer prevention screening.

Keywords: Knowledge, Attitude, Women, Health Center, Cervical Cancer.