TY - JOUR A1 - Amin, Said A1 - Abdullahi, Kabiru A1 - Muhammad, Mukhtar A1 - Mohammed, Liman A1 - Mahmoud, Rabiah A1 - Muhammad, Rukayya T1 - Perception of cervical cancer and its cytological screening among medical students Y1 - 2020/1/1 JF - Sahel Medical Journal JO - Sahel Med J SP - 41 EP - 46 VL - 23 IS - 1 UR - https://www.smjonline.org/article.asp?issn=1118-8561;year=2020;volume=23;issue=1;spage=41;epage=46;aulast=Amin DO - 10.4103/smj.smj_26_18 N2 - Introduction: In Nigeria, cancer of the cervix is known to be the second commonest malignancy among females. In developed countries, there has been a paradigm shift attributed to effective cervical cancer screening predominantly using the Papanicolaou (Pap) smear. This screening tool is highly sensitive and specific; having a commendable positive predictive value as well as relatively cheap and effective means of screening cervical cancer for early detection. Objectives: The aim of this study is to assess the perception of Pap smear among medical students in College of Health Sciences, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto (CHS-UDUS) in order to be able to recommend ways for improving acceptability, usage, and dissemination of information of the screening tool (Pap smear). Materials and Methods: The study utilized a cross-sectional study design. Preclinical students of CHS-UDUS were selected using random sampling technique. Pretested semi-structured, self-administered questionnaires were administered on the students. Quantitative variables were analyzed and presented using measures of central tendency [mean and median] and measures of dispersion (standard deviation), while Chi-square test was used in bivariate analyses, to determine the statistical association between the categorical groups, with a P < 0.05 considered as statistically significant. Results: Preclinical medical students in UDUS were found to have high awareness of cervical cancer-screening (82%) which made them positively disposed toward the screening tool. Most of them (75.6%) believe that Pap smear is effective in detecting cervical cancer. Majority of respondents obtained their information from routine lectures (81%) as against mass media (7%) and other extraneous source. However 42.8% were unaware of Pap smear screening services availability in their institution. Conclusion: The level of awareness about cervical cancer screening is high among the study population. Future studies should concentrate on utilization of this service in later life of young students. ER -