Abstract

Many countries in Africa including Nigeria seem to have no plan in their budget for cervical cancer prevention when compared to other health issues. This continues to lead to increasing morbidity and mortality from cervical cancer. This descriptive survey determined the knowledge of cervical cancer screening measures among female primary school teachers in Enugu State. This study covered 1177 state-owned primary schools clustered in six Educational Zones of the state. Sample of 381 respondents was drawn from the population through Taro Yameni formula for sample size calculation. Cluster sampling technique was used to cluster the schools into rural and urban/semi-urban locations. Selection of the participants for the study per school was also through simple random sampling technique. The instrument used for data collection was researchers’-structured and validated questionnaire which was tested for internal consistency using Spearman Brown Correlation formula with reliability index of 0.98. Face to face administration of the instrument was done by the researchers with return rate of 99.5%. Data generated from the study were analyzed through descriptive and inferential statistics using SPSS Version 21. Null hypotheses for the study were tested with chi-square at 0.05 level of significance. The study revealed that female primary school teachers had moderate knowledge of cervical cancer screening measures. Study also indicated that age does not play significant role in the knowledge of the female primary school teachers on cervical cancer screening measures (df=3;Cal.=49.1;Cri.= 7.8). Location of the female primary school teachers does not play significant role in the knowledge of the female primary school teachers on cervical cancer screening measures(df=2;Ca;.28.99; Cri. 5.99) but marital status plays role in their knowledge of cervical screening measures with df=3;Cal.=2.24;Cri.7.82).Based on the findings the researchers call for more enlightenment campaign on cervical cancer screening measures for the teachers to enable them pass the information to their fellow women and students under their watch. This will go a long way in reducing the morbidity and mortality rate emanating from cervical cancer.