Knowledge and Preventive Practices Regarding Cervical Cancer Among Women in Nkoranza South Municipality, Ghana: A...

Cervical cancer remains a major public health challenge in low- and middle-income countries, including Ghana. Despite the availability of effective preventive measures, the incidence and mortality rates remain high. The aim of the study was to assess cervical cancer awareness, knowledge of risk factors, screening practices, and human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination awareness and uptake among sampled women in Nkoranza South Municipality, Bono East Region, Ghana.

A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted between January and June 2023 among women aged between 18 and 45 years in the Nkoranza South Municipality, Bono East Region, Ghana. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire administered in English or orally in the Bono language when necessary. Convenience sampling was used to recruit the participants among the eligible populations in the municipality. The questionnaire was dichotomous and multiple-choice and included socio-demographic variables, cervical cancer awareness, knowledge of risk factors, HPV vaccination awareness and uptake, screening practices, and barriers to prevention. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize data, which were presented in tables, graphs, and charts.

The analysis included 70 women who filled out the questionnaire. Overall, 65 (92.9%) respondents were aware of cervical cancer. Among the 65 respondents who had heard of cervical cancer, 49 (75.4%) believed that cervical cancer could be prevented, 27 (41.5%) had heard of the HPV vaccine, and 15 (23.1%) had ever been screened. Overall, these findings show that although awareness of cervical cancer was high, knowledge of specific preventive measures and uptake of screening remained low.  Conclusion: Although cervical cancer awareness was high among the study participants, this was not accompanied by similarly high uptake of screening or HPV vaccination. These findings suggest an awareness-practice gap among the sampled women and highlight the need for structured health education that promotes practical knowledge of screening and vaccination services.