Knowledge and Practice of Pap-smear among Female Students of Lead City University, Ibadan

Abstract

Globally, cervical cancer is a public health concern which responsible for
high mortality among women, it can be detected early with Pap smear
screening for sexually and non-sexually active women. Many women do
not undergo this due to lack of knowledge. This study assessed the
Knowledge and Practice of Pap smear among female students in Lead
City University, Ibadan.
A descriptive cross-sectional research design was adopted and
119 respondents of Lead City University students were used for the
study. A self-developed, validated and structured questionnaire was
used. The data collected was analyzed using descriptive and inferential
statistics and p<0.05 level of significance. Findings showed that 43.6% were between the ages of 17-20
and 56.4% were between the ages of 21-25. Majority, 81.8% agreed to
have heard about a Pap smear test before. 53.6% agreed that Pap smear
can prevent cervical cancer. Majority about 84.5% have never had the
test before. There is a significant relationship between educational status
and knowledge of Pap smear among female students (200-500 levels) in
Lead City University (p<0.05). In conclusion, the knowledge was high and the practice of Pap
smear was significantly low. It was recommended that health
professionals should bring about strategies that would increase the practice of Pap smear testing.