Abstract:

The uptake of cancer screening services remains poor in developing countries due to altered perception and awareness of cancer. Difficulties associated with cancer screening include late reporting due to fear, ignorance, cost, and cultural issues. This study sought to establish the utilization of cancer screening services among health workers in Military Hospital Lagos (MHL) and the reasons for poor utilization of such services. Method: This quantitative study utilized 200 participants in MHL, Southwest, Nigeria to collect information. Proportionate probability sampling was used to determine those needed from each department and then conveniently selected after approval was received from the management of the hospital. Data was analyzed using SPSS 25.0 software at 95% CI with an alpha set at 5%. Findings: Participants were mostly males 106 (53.0%), between the age range of 20-30 years 73(36.5%), mostly married 114 (57.0%), with 122(61.0%) possessing a college degree, 90(45.0%) having average income >50-100 thousand naira and 132(66.0%) possessing health insurance. Major factors identified for influencing screening utilization were fear of a positive result, ignorance, belief in not being at risk, having many contending issues, nonchalant attitude to health, financial constraint. Conclusion: A low level of cancer screening and uptake was noticed among these health workers. This raises the need for urgent enlightenment about cancer screening even among health workers, and cancer screening made more available and affordable with easy accessibility to reduce the incidence and mortality of invasive cancer.

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