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 -