Abstract:

Cancer burden in Nigeria has become a sudden nightmare which is fast having a disastrous impact on the health and financial economy. The estimated number of new cancer cases in West Africa is 854,790. In Nigeria, about 8.5% of the 51million annual death due to cancer account for cervical cancer. In this cross sectional descriptive study amongst female Private health workers, a significant level of awareness of cervical cancer amongst the female health workers in the private health sector was observed. The level of awareness is strongly associated with enhanced education but there was no link with age or marital status. A significant link between the level of awareness and health occupation especially the core health workers were also observed. However, there was a marginal link with the non-medical health workers. Furthermore, there was a significant link illustrating that a possible increased participation in cancer awareness programs would lead to; Increase in knowledge of CC status, increase in utilization of Pap smear test and improved uptake of HPV vaccine. This outcome serves as an original article data base to resolve any doubt and perception on the level of knowledge and awareness of Cervical Cancer amongst private sector health workers in Lagos state and extendable to Nigeria.

Keywords: Cervical Cancer – CC, Human Papilloma Virus- HPV, Vaccination uptake –VU, Papanicolaou (pap) smear test, Sexual transmitted diseases (STD).

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