Knowledge and practices towards screening of cervical cancer among female students at Makerere University College of Health Sciences between the age of 18-45 years, Kampala, Uganda
Abstract
Title: Knowledge and practices towards cervical cancer screening among the female
students, at Makerere University College of Health sciences.
Background: Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer among women
worldwide with an estimation of 60400 new cases and 34200 deaths. Cervical cancer is
mainly caused by human papilloma virus which occurs in two forms, that is to say, type
16 and 18 which are responsible for nearly 50% of high grade cervical pre-cancers.
HPV is mainly transmitted through sexual contact with an infected person of which
majority are infected shortly after the onset of sexual activity. More than 90% of them
clear the infection eventually
Objective: The aim of this study was to explore the knowledge and practices about
cervical cancer screening among female students at MaKCHS.
Methodology: An exploratory qualitative study, using both phone and face-to-face
individual interviews was used. A purposive sampling method was used that involved a certain number of female students at Makerere University College of Health Sciences.
Results: Two themes were identified: 1) knowledge about cervical cancer screening. 2)
Practice of cervical cancer screening. Majority of the students reported being
knowledgeable on cervical cancer regardless of the year of study. However, noted was
the huge practice gap. Despite the reported practice and the knowledge gap, all
participants showed very positive attitude towards the study.
Conclusion: The female students demonstrated a negative attitude towards cervical
cancer screening despite the reported knowledge and practice gap.