Awareness Levels and Attitudinal Barriers to Cervical Cancer Screening: A Comparative Study of Urban and Rural Women in Plateau State, Nigeria.
Authors
Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, College of Medical Sciences, Bingham University, Jos Campus (Nigeria)
Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Allied Health Sciences, McPherson University (Nigeria)
Chukwuekezie Chidiebere Nkemakonam
Department of Medical Microbiology, Federal Medical Center, Birnin Kudu, Jigawa (Nigeria)
Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, College of Medical Sciences, Bingham University, Jos Campus (Nigeria)
Department of Health Planning, Federal Ministry of Health, FCT Abuja. (Nigeria)
Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, College of Medical Sciences, Bingham University, Jos Campus (Nigeria)
Department of Medical Microbiology, Our Lady of Apostle Hospital Jos. (Nigeria)
Article Information
Publication Timeline
Submitted: 2026-01-24
Accepted: 2026-01-30
Published: 2026-02-26
Abstract
Cervical cancer remains a major public health concern in low- and middle-income countries, including Nigeria, where inadequate awareness and low utilization of screening services contribute significantly to late diagnosis and high mortality.
Objective: This study assessed and compared awareness and attitudinal barriers to cervical cancer screening among women in urban and rural areas of Plateau State, Nigeria.
Method: A comparative cross-sectional study design was adopted, involving 203 women aged 21–65 years selected through multistage sampling from Jos Metropolis (urban) and Bassa Local Government Area (rural). Data were collected using a structured interviewer-administered questionnaire that assessed socio-demographic characteristics, awareness of cervical cancer and screening methods, and attitudes toward screening and HPV vaccination. Data was analyzed using IBM SPSS version 27. Descriptive statistics summarized key variables, while binary logistic regression identified factors associated with cervical cancer awareness, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05.
Keywords
Attitudinal Barriers, Rural Women, Cancer, public health
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References
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