Abstract

Background
Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer among women globally, and the second in Africa. Despite being a preventable disease with possibility of complete cure if detected early, the burden remains high in developing countries like Nigeria. However, the uptake of cervical cancer preventive measures could be affected by the women’s knowledge of the preventive measures.

Aim
This study assessed the knowledge, attitude and determinants of uptake of cervical cancer screening among market women in Calabar.

Methodology
A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among 213 women in two major markets in Calabar metropolis from April – July 2024. The sample size was determined using Cochran formula; respondents were recruited using systematic random technique. Data was collected using a pre-tested interviewer-administered questionnaire and analysed using IBM SPSS version 21, employing bivariate analysis at 5% level of significance.

Results
The mean age of the respondents was 35.55 (±10.93) years. Almost half (44.6%) of the respondents had poor knowledge but, majority (82.2%) had a positive attitude, while 84.5% had poor uptake of cervical cancer screening, with 13% and 19.5% uptake in Marian market and Watt market respectively. Reasons for not screening were lack of information, indecision, and cost, amongst others. Age, level of education and income were found to be factors associated with uptake of cervical cancer screening, while binary logistic regression identified income (OR=6.28, 95% CI: 1.45–27.25) and knowledge (OR=6.07, 95% CI: 1.71–11.942) as key determinants of uptake of cervical cancer screening.

Conclusion
The study revealed poor knowledge about cervical cancer screening among women in both markets, leading to poor uptake of cervical cancer screening. Therefore, there is need for targeted intervention in both markets to improve the knowledge and uptake of cervical cancer screening such as market-based awareness campaigns, subsidized screening, and integration into primary health care

Key words: Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / prevention & control; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice, Mass Screening.