Knowledge and Understanding of cervical cancer should be improved.

The present study was conducted among staff nurses data suggest that levels of knowledge and understanding of cervical cancer should be improved. in order to evaluate their knowledge regarding cervical carcinoma. 69% of staff nurses had some knowledge related to cancer of the cervix. In the present study, 86.9 and 94.2% mentioned menstrual abnormality and abnormal vaginal discharge, respectively, as symptoms of cervical cancer, while in a study by Nganwai et al [7], 77.7 and 92.4% knew that common symptoms of cervical cancer include post-coital bleeding, inter-menstrual bleeding and abnormal leucorrhoea or bloodstained vaginal discharge. A similar finding (menstrual abnormality -80,6% ) was found in a study by Anya et al [8] among female health personnel.

In our study, only 11.5% mentioned multiple sexual partners as one of the risk factors, while in a study of Ali et al [9], 45% mentioned multiple partners and other promiscuous behaviour as the most common risk factor. In a study carried out by McCarey et al [10], 41% of nurses mentioned multiple sexual partners as a risk factor for cervical cancer. In the present study, 73.9% mentioned early age at pregnancy as one of the risk factors for cervical cancer. Nganwal et al [7] in their study mentioned that 81.8 and 85.6% of respondents knew that first sexual intercourse at a young age and having multiple sexual partners were risk factors for cervical cancer.

In the present study, knowledge regarding Pap test was present in 88.4% of respondents. Similar findings (83%) were documented in a study carried out by Mutyaba et al [11]. In a study by Ali et al [9], 75% knew that Pap smear is the screening test for cervical cancer.

In the present study, only 5(5%) respondents underwent Pap test. The same result (5.5%) was there in a study by Udigwe [12]. In a study carried out by Nganwai et al [7], 56.4% underwent Pap smears every year.

Conclusions

Our data suggest that levels of knowledge and understanding of cervical cancer as well as its preventable nature should be improved. Continuing nurse education may contribute to strengthen cervical cancer screening programs. Nursing staff, if properly aware of this disease, can educate the masses and hence increase health-seeking behaviour in women.