Cervical Cancer Screening amongst Female Nursing Students in a Tertiary Institution, in South South Nigeria

INTRODUCTION: Developing countries have more challenges of cervical cancer among young women of reproductive age group. Good knowledge and practices of cervical cancer screening (CCS) among nursing students who graduate to become professional nurses can reduce the escalating incidence and high mortality among Nigerian women.

METHODS: The study examined knowledge, attitude and practice of cervical cancer screening among female undergraduate nursing students in Department of Nursing Science, University of Calabar, Nigeria. Using simple random sampling technique a sample size of 212 nursing students was selected. Data was collected through a researchers developed and validated questionnaire titled Undergraduate nursing students knowledge attitude and practice of cervical cancer screening questionnaire (UNSKAPCCSQ). Simple frequencies and percentages were used to analyze data.

RESULTS: Undergraduate nursing students had good knowledge (93.3%) of cervical cancer screening. The students exhibited poor attitude towards cervical cancer screening as only (26.7%) displayed positive attitude, while majority (73.3%) did not find it necessary to screen. Only (5%) had been screened for cervical cancer while (95%) did not undergo any screening test.

CONCLUSION: Female undergraduate nursing students’ good Knowledge of cervical cancer screening did not translate to positive attitude and practice. Cervical cancer screening education should be intensified for nursing students. CCS should be a mandatory exercise for all newly admitted female undergraduate in the university. Nursing students should be made to participate actively in raising awareness on cervical cancer screening and management.