| dc.description.abstract | ABSTRACT
Introduction
Cervical cancer is one of the leading cancer killers among women all over the world. It is the
most common female cancer in developing countries, and every two minutes, a woman dies
of cervical cancer across the world. Its contribution to cancer burden is significant across all
cultures and economies. In Uganda current estimates indicate that every year 6,413 women
are diagnosed with cervical cancer and 4,301 die from the disease. Cervical cancer ranks as
the first most frequent type of cancer among women in Uganda, and the type among women
between 15and 44 years of age. Although the government of Uganda is investing efforts in
mitigating cervical cancer, the rate at which people are getting awareness and knowledge of
cervical cancer is not well known, as well as the most efficient means that can best be used in
the awareness exercises.
This research aimed at assessing knowledge and awareness about cervical cancer among
female young adults aged 20-39 in Pece division, Gulu municipality.
Methods
In this research, community based cross-sectional study design was employed and
questionnaires were developed and administered to the selected female adults in Pece
division Gulu municipality, within which their knowledge and awareness of cervical cancer
were assessed plus the ways through which they got to know about cervical cancer.
Results
Out of 345 questionnaires which were issued to the respondents, 79.8% of respondents had
heard about cervical cancer; 41.4% of who had heard from the health workers and 21.2%
from the radio programs and awareness adverts. Although the percentage of those who had
ever heard of cervical cancer was encouragingly high, it was found that only 42.1% had ever
been screened of cervical cancer and only 26.3% had knowledge on cervical cancer basing on
signs and symptoms they could give.
Conclusion
Although general awareness about cervical cancer was relatively high among young female
adults, specific knowledge about signs and symptoms was low. This means the level of
knowledge of respondents were found to be low. There is therefore need for more education
campaigns to bridge identified knowledge gaps, and scale up of cervical cancer screening
services to all women | en_US |
