Revista de SIDA e investigación clínica

Awareness and Self-Perceived Risk of Cervical Cancer among Women Living in Namuwongo, an Informal Settlement in Kampala, Uganda

Abstract

Faith Nawagi, John Mukisa, Lynnette K Tumwine, Rose C Nabirye, Aidah Ajambo, Denis L Bukenya and Amos D Mwaka

Background: Cervical cancer remains one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality among women of reproductive age in sub Saharan Africa. However there is limited data on the level of awareness and perceived risk among women in peri urban slums of which most of the occupants are mainly women of reproductive age.

Methods: We carried out a population based cross-sectional study in Namuwongo, a peri urban slum in Kampala in 2016. Data was collected using a pretested interviewer administered questionnaire, entered and analyzed using SPSS 22.0. Results: Most participants, 259/311 (83.3%) had heard about cervical cancer and (87.5%) knew that cervical cancer can be prevented by early detection. Their main sources of information included Media such as radio and TV (47.6%) and healthcare professionals at the health facility (37.6%), friends and family (14.1%). Almost half of the participants (47.9 %) didn't know about the possibility of prevention of cervical cancer through HPV vaccination. About 219/311 (70.4%) perceived themselves to be at risk for cervical cancer in this study. Although majority had heard about cervical cancer, 209 (67.2%) didn't know of any signs and symptoms of cervical cancer and the mean age of HPV vaccination mentioned was 2.41 (± 0.77), much younger than the current recommended age category of 10-14 years. The mean age for starting screening was 10.77 (± 9.87) compared to the normal recommended age of screening 21 and above.

Conclusion: Most of participants in this study had heard about cervical cancer although their knowledge of symptoms, preventive measures and importance of cervical cancer screening was low. Majority of the women perceived that they were at risk of developing cervical cancer although they were hardly knowledgeable of any reasons for their perceptions. There is need for more public awareness campaigns to provide detailed in-depth information to enhance knowledge on cervical cancer in informal settlements like slum populations.