Knowledge and Risk Factors of Cervical Cancer among Women in Towns of Fako Division- Cameroon
Tassang Andrew *
Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Buea, P.O. Box 63, Buea, Cameroon and Buea Regional Hospital Annex, Cameroon and Atlantic Medical Foundation Hospital-Mutengene, Cameroon.
Celestina Neh Fru *
Atlantic Medical Foundation Hospital-Mutengene, Cameroon and Faculty of Social and Management Sciences, Department of Sociology and Anthropology, University of Buea, P.O. Box 63, Buea, Cameroon.
Mike Robert Brady
University of Arizona College of Medicine- Phoenix , USA
Frederick Nchang Cho
Global Health Systems Solutions, Cameroon and Infectious Disease Laboratory, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Buea, P.O.Box 63, Buea, Cameroon and Central African Network for Tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS and Malaria (CANTAM), University of Buea, P.O. Box 63, Buea, Cameroon.
Tassang Thierry
Central African Network for Tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS and Malaria (CANTAM), University of Buea, P.O. Box 63, Buea, Cameroon.
Ngum Fru Paulette
Faculty of Social and Management Sciences, Department of Sociology and Anthropology, University of Buea, P.O. Box 63, Buea, Cameroon and District Health Service Tiko, South West Regional Delegation of Health, Ministry of Health, Cameroon.
Tangi Gracious
Baptist Hospital Mutengene, Cameroon.
Toh Renald
Bettahealth Cameroon, Yaounde, Cameroon.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Background: Cervical cancer (CC) is a worldwide disease, with 85% of new cases occurring in developing countries in general and Africa south of the Sahara in particular.
Aim: The objective of this study was to find possible factors that could affect knowledge about CC and some CC risk factors in our community.
Study Design: A community-based cross-sectional study was carried out in Buea, Mutengene, and Tiko.
Result: Knowledge about CC is modulated by the level of education and the young age of women. Risk factors, although universal, seem to vary according to the geographical area and the socio-cultural environment where one lives. Some risk factors identified are; early onset of sexual intercourse, polygamous marriages, multiple sexual partners, the sexual behavior of the male partner, Human papillomavirus (HPV) infections, sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), Human Deficiency Virus (HIV), and history of genital warts.
Conclusion: None enhancement of lifestyle as the voluntary refusal of cervical cancer screening and CC vaccination has also been risky for CC.
Keywords: Cervical cancer, knowledge, risk factors, none enhancement of lifestyle