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Research Paper | Medical Science | Zambia | Volume 12 Issue 12, December 2023
Knowledge and Practices of Cervical Cancer Screening among Females of the Reproductive Age (15 - 49) of Ngwerere Catchment in Chongwe
Bulanda Mercy Hakachite | Pamela Mwansa | Lombe Mwaba | Nelson Phiri | Mangozi Fundi Jules [2]
Abstract: The most common malignancy among women of reproductive age in Zambia is cervical cancer. According to estimations, there are over 2330 women diagnosed with cervical cancer and about 1380 of them die from the disease every year, with a population of roughly 4.42 million females who are between the ages of 15 and above who pose as risk category (Zambia, HPV, and Cancer information centre 2017). Results from a cross - sectional study conducted in Ndola, Zambia, by Kabalika et al. (2018) on levels of acceptance of cervical cancer screening and its correlation among women of the peri - urban residential area showed that of the 355 participants in the study, only 2.5% had undergone a cervical cancer screening, indicating low uptake of cervical screening. A descriptive study was conducted to assess the knowledge, and practice of Cervical Cancer screening among females of the reproductive age (15 - 49) at Ngwerere catchment in Chongwe. A structured questionnaire administered by assistant researchers was given to 365 women of reproductive age. The results of the study revealed that most of the women (57%) participants were not sure if cervical cancer information is important in the neighbourhood, implying that the majority of women have poor knowledge levels concerning Cervical Cancer. In as much as differences in knowledge levels were noted, such were based on age, education attainments, marital status neighbourhood, and religion. The study reviewed poor utilization and practice of cervical screening. Women don?t know and are not sure where to obtain cervical cancer screening services. Most Women of 85% don?t know someone who has gone for cervical cancer screening. The majority of Women 75% have not had screening forcervical cancer as yet in Ngwerere catchment Chongwe district.
Keywords: Cervical Cancer, Human Papillomavirus (HPV), Screening, Knowledge
Edition: Volume 12 Issue 12, December 2023,
Pages: 1390 - 1394