Department of Surgery, University of Ghana Medical School, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana.
Department of Surgery, Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Accra, Ghana.
BMC Cancer. 2024 Nov 6;24(1):1359. doi: 10.1186/s12885-024-13134-4.
Cervical cancer is one of the commonest female cancers in Ghana. However, it is preventable. Prevention through Human Papilloma Virus immunization and early detection by screening have their foundation in awareness and a good knowledge about the disease. Acquiring the right knowledge about cervical cancer should be earlier rather than later while mindsets are still being formed to translate into the right attitudes and behaviours later in life.
An unpaired pre- and post-test quasi experimental study was conducted at two Ghanaian senior high schools. An educational intervention was carried out comprising a drama, PowerPoint lecture, question and answer session and cervical cancer information leaflet distribution. A self-administered questionnaire was given as a pre-test and repeated as a post-test after 3 months. The total score for each domain of knowledge tested was categorized into adequate knowledge (≥ 50%) and inadequate knowledge (< 50%).
The number of participants in the pre- and post-test were 1,107 and 1,276 girls respectively, with average age of 16 years. General knowledge on cervical cancer improved to 94.4% from 73% following the intervention, but only 46.2% said cervical cancer was curable following the education. Knowledge on symptoms improved from 78 to 87.1% and risk factor knowledge improved from 81.8 to 89.3%. After the intervention, 37% from an initial 42% still thought that having sex at a young age (adolescence) was not a risk factor. Screening and prevention knowledge improved from 82.9 to 91% but only 37.2% knew the recommended age to begin screening with pap smears, even after the education. Overall knowledge on cervical cancer after the education significantly improved from 79.1 to 92.3%.
Knowledge of cervical cancer among young girls in two High Schools, improved with the educational intervention. Areas of education to be emphasized are: cervical cancer is curable if diagnosed early, increased risk with early onset of sexual activity, and recommended age to start screening. Educating young girls on cervical cancer increases their awareness and gives them adequate knowledge which should influence their attitudes and behaviour towards cervical cancer in the future. It should be considered for adoption into high school curricula.
宫颈癌是加纳最常见的女性癌症之一。然而，它是可以预防的。通过人乳头瘤病毒（HPV）疫苗接种和筛查进行早期检测，其基础是对疾病的认识和了解。获得关于宫颈癌的正确知识应该尽早进行，因为在形成正确的态度和行为方面，观念仍然是关键。
在加纳的两所高中进行了一项非配对的前后测试准实验研究。开展了一项教育干预，包括戏剧、幻灯片演示、问答环节和分发宫颈癌信息传单。在进行前测后，3 个月后再次进行自我管理的问卷调查。每个测试知识领域的总得分分为充分知识（≥50%）和不足知识（<50%）。
前测和后测的参与者人数分别为 1107 名和 1276 名女生，平均年龄为 16 岁。在干预后，对宫颈癌的一般知识从 73%提高到 94.4%，但只有 46.2%的人认为宫颈癌是可以治愈的。对症状的认识从 78%提高到 87.1%，对危险因素的认识从 81.8%提高到 89.3%。干预后，仍有 37%（初始时为 42%）的人认为年轻时（青春期）发生性行为不是一个危险因素。筛查和预防知识从 82.9%提高到 91%，但只有 37.2%的人知道开始巴氏涂片筛查的建议年龄，即使在接受教育后也不知道。经过教育，宫颈癌的整体知识从 79.1%显著提高到 92.3%。
通过教育干预，两所高中的年轻女孩对宫颈癌的认识有所提高。需要强调的教育领域包括：如果早期诊断，宫颈癌是可以治愈的；早期开始性行为会增加患病风险；建议开始筛查的年龄。对年轻女孩进行宫颈癌教育可以提高她们的意识，使她们获得足够的知识，这应该会影响她们未来对宫颈癌的态度和行为。应考虑将其纳入高中课程。
