Factors Affecting Pap Smear Screening Among Women of Reproductive Age in Owerri West LGA, Imo State, South-Eastern Nigeria.

INTRODUCTION

Cervical cancer remains a significant public health issue and is the second leading cause of cancer-related mortality among women globally. Its burden extends beyond individual health, affecting families, communities, and social systems. This study aimed to identify the factors influencing Pap smear testing among women of reproductive age in Owerri West, Imo State.

METHODS

This study adopted a descriptive cross-sectional design using 399 respondents selected through a multistage sampling method. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analysed with the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), with results presented in frequencies and percentages.

RESULTS

Most respondents were married (51.6%), aged 20-29 years (42.9%), predominantly traders (34.6%) and civil servants (34.9%), of Igbo ethnicity (78.0%), and had tertiary education (48.4%). While 44.8% had heard of cervical cancer, they were not familiar with its details. About 59.0% had heard of Pap smear testing, with nearly half (49.3%) receiving the information from healthcare professionals. Despite a relatively high level of awareness, 61.8% had never undergone a Pap smear. Respondents identified several barriers to Pap smear testing, including the belief that the procedure is expensive or embarrassing. Some also associated undergoing the test before sexual activity with a loss of virginity, while others cited the distant location of screening centres as a significant challenge.

CONCLUSION

There is a critical need for increased medical education and public sensitization on cervical cancer and the importance of routine screening to improve uptake and early detection.