KNOWLEDGE OF CERVICAL CANCER, RISK FACTOR AND PREVENTIVE HEALTH PRACTICE AMONG WOMEN IN BENDE LGA, ABIA STATE

ABSTRACT Cancer Cervix refers to malignant cell growth in the lower part of the uterus that opens into the vagina. Cervical cancer is primarily associated with young women. Women aged 50 years and below accounts for 62%, of all cervical cancers. Cervical cancer usually develops slowly, which means that most cases can be identified and managed when screening is performed regularly. The study sought to investigate the knowledge, risk factors and preventive measures of cervical cancer among women aged 26-≥46 years in Bende LGA, Abia State. A descriptive research survey design was used in building up this project work and a random sampling technique was used to obtain 95 respondents from the study population. Data was collected using selfadministered semi-structured questionnaires issued to women aged 26-≥46 years in Bende LGA, Abia State. For a comprehensive analysis of data collected, emphasis was laid on the use of absolute number frequencies of responses and percentages. Findings of current survey revealed that majorityBende LGA women has a high knowledge on cervical cancer as a disease of the female gender (70.5%); majority had no knowledge on the cause of cervical cancer as only 34.7 percent of the respondents rightly agreed that human papilloma virus as the cause of cervical cancer; 21.6 percent of the respondents wrongly identified long-term use of intrauterine device (IUD) as a risk factor and greater number of the respondents (68.3%) recognized that cervical cancer is preventable. Based on this, it was recommended that education of women in different LGAs and ante natal clinics on cervical cancer cause, risk factors and preventive measures should be intensified.