Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices towards Cervical Cancer Prevention among Female Sex Workers in the Douala Municipality, Cameroon

Research Article

Authors

  • Eta Vivian Enow Ayamba Department of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Buea, BP 63 Buea, Cameroon Author
  • Simeni MH Department of Public Health and Hygiene, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Buea, Cameroon Author
  • Assob NJC Faculty of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Douala, Cameroon Author
  • Nsagha DS Department of Public Health and Hygiene, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Buea, Cameroon Author

Keywords:

Female Sex Workers, Cervical cancer, Attitudes, Knowledge, Practice, Human Papilloma Virus

Abstract

Background: Cervical cancer is caused by a virus known as Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) which is sexually transmitted, and is implicated in 99.7% of cervical cancers and several other cancers that affect both men and women. Female Sex Workers (FSWs) are at very high risk of having HPV and cervical cancer, because of their recurrent exposure to sexual practices, which often include unprotected vaginal or anal sex.

Objective: This study was aimed at investigating the level of knowledge, attitudes and practices of cervical cancer prevention among FSWs in Douala.

Methods: A qualitative cross sectional study was conducted supplemented with quantitative methods. The study population comprised all the student nurses on clinical placements in Regional Hospital Limbe. This was a cross sectional study conducted in Douala. Data on knowledge, attitudes and practices of cervical cancer prevention was collected using a semi- structured questionnaire. Two municipalities out of six were selected through a purposive sampling approach. In each of the municipality, convenience sampling approach was used to select FSWs. Data collected was entered using excel spreadsheet version 2016 and analysed using SPSS version 24. Descriptive statistics were used to summarise data collected.

Results: A total of 384 FSWs participated in this study and their ages ranged from 20 to 70 years. The findings revealed that 35.5 % of the participants had adequate knowledge, 43.8% had negative attitudes towards cervical cancer prevention, and 26.6% had good practices towards cervical cancer prevention. These results can help to inform health personnel to reinforce health education on cervical cancer prevention among female sex workers.

Conclusion: These findings indicate that FSWs had inadequate knowledge, negative attitudes and a poor practice towards cervical cancer prevention. Therefore, there is need to put in place strategies to educate this group on cervical cancer prevention.

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Published

2024-09-04

Issue

Vol. 1 No. 01 (2024): IJRBS

Section

Articles