Cervical Cancer Screening in Nigeria: A Social Media Survey of Women's Awareness, Beliefs, and Screening Uptake

Authors

  • Jennifer Adaeze Chukwu

    PhD,World Health Organization, United Nations House, Abuja, Nigeria; and Department of Multidisciplinary Studies & Statistics, PENKUP Research Institute, Birmingham, United Kingdom
    Author
    https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1003-4664

  • Festus Ituah

    PhD,School of Health and Sports Science, Regent College, London, United Kingdom; and Department of Interdisciplinary Research & Statistics, PENKUP Research Institute, Birmingham, United Kingdom.
    Author

  • Bumi Jang

    MPH,Faculty of Education, Health and Wellbeing, University of Wolverhampton, United Kingdom; and Department of Interdisciplinary Research & Statistics, PENKUP Research Institute, Birmingham, United Kingdom.
    Author

  • Japhet Haruna Jonah

    MScPH,Department of Nursing Science, Family Health International (FH1 360), Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria; and Department of Interdisciplinary Research & Statistics, PENKUP Research Institute, Birmingham, United Kingdom.
    Author
    https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7779-6375

  • Chisom Lucky Emeka

    PhD,Vaccine Preventable Diseases Unit/Health Promotion, Disease Prevention and Control Cluster, World Health Organisation Country Office, Abuja, Nigeria; and Department of Interdisciplinary Research & Statistics, PENKUP Research Institute, Birmingham, United Kingdom.
    Author

  • Oladipo Vincent Akinmade

    MPH,Digital Health and Rights Project (Center for Interdisciplinary Methodologies, CIM), University of Warwick, Coventry, United Kingdom; and Department of Interdisciplinary Research & Statistics, PENKUP Research Institute, Birmingham, United Kingdom.
    Author
    https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5053-2716

  • Samuel Sam Danladi

    MPH,Department of Public Health, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria; and Department of Interdisciplinary Research & Statistics, PENKUP Research Institute, Birmingham, United Kingdom.
    Author
    https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5562-537X

  • Ulunma Ikwuoma Mariere

    FWACP,Department of Community Medicine and Public Health, Federal Medical Centre, Bayelsa, Nigeria; and Department of Interdisciplinary Research & Statistics, PENKUP Research Institute, Birmingham, United Kingdom.
    Author
    https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1992-9288

  • Abba Sadiq Usman

    MScPH,Nutrition and Health Department, Action Against Hunger, Maiduguri Field Office, Nigeria; and Department of Interdisciplinary Studies & Statistics, PENKUP Research Institute, Birmingham, United Kingdom.
    Author

  • Kenechi Ike Gerald

    FMCPath,Department of Histopathology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, Anambra State, Nigeria; and Department of Interdisciplinary Studies and Statistics, PENKUP Research Institute, Birmingham, United Kingdom.
    Author
    https://orcid.org/0009-0004-6972-7053

  • Christabel A. Ovesuor

    FWACP,Department of Internal Medicine, Federal Medical Center, Asaba; and Department of Interdisciplinary Studies and Statistics, PENKUP Research Institute, Birmingham, United Kingdom.
    Author
    https://orcid.org/0009-0007-8882-7043

  • Kenneth Oshiokhayamhe Iyevhobu

    Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Applied Health Science, Edo State University, Iyamho, Edo State, Nigeria; Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medical Laboratory Science, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo State, Nigeria; and Department of InterdisciplinaryResearch and Statistics, PENKUP Research Institute, Birmingham, United Kingdom.
    Author

  • Kennedy Oberhiri Obohwemu

    PhD,Department of Interdisciplinary Research and Statistics, PENKUP Research Institute, Birmingham, United Kingdom.
    Author
    https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5175-1179

  • Geno Ardo

    PhD,Sokoto State University, Sokoto. Nigeria; and PENKUP Research Institute, Birmingham, United Kingdom.
    Author
    https://orcid.org/0009-0006-0138-6939

  • Olubanke Olujoke Ogunlana

    PhD,Department of Biochemistry, College of Science and Technology, Covenant University, Ota, Nigeria; Covenant Applied Informatics and Communication Africa Centre of Excellence (CApIC-ACE), Covenant University, Ota, Nigeria; and Department of Multidisciplinary Studies & Statistics, PENKUP Research Institute, Birmingham, United Kingdom
    Author
    https://orcid.org/0009-0002-9685-4694

  • Christogonus Chichebe Ekenwaneze

    MSc,Department of Biochemistry, College of Science and Technology, Covenant University, Ota, Nigeria; Covenant Applied Informatics and Communication Africa Centre of Excellence (CApIC-ACE), Covenant University, Ota, Nigeria; and Department of Multidisciplinary Studies & Statistics, PENKUP Research Institute, Birmingham, United Kingdom
    Author

  • Chidinma Chukwu

    MSc,Aspen Court Care Home, Derby, United Kingdom; and Department of Multidisciplinary Studies & Statistics, PENKUP Research Institute, Birmingham, United Kingdom
    Author
    https://orcid.org/0009-0006-4432-106X

  • Kennedy Oberhiri Obohwemu

    PhD,Department of Interdisciplinary Research and Statistics, PENKUP Research Institute, Birmingham, United Kingdom.
    Author
    https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5175-1179

  • Jennifer Adaeze Chukwu

    PhD,World Health Organization, United Nations House, Abuja, Nigeria; and Department of Multidisciplinary Studies & Statistics, PENKUP Research Institute, Birmingham, United Kingdom.
    Author
    https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1003-4664

  • Olubanke Olujoke Ogunlana

    PhD,Department of Biochemistry, College of Science and Technology, Covenant University, Ota, Nigeria; Covenant Applied Informatics and Communication Africa Centre of Excellence (CApIC-ACE), Covenant University, Ota, Nigeria; and Department of Multidisciplinary Studies & Statistics, PENKUP Research Institute, Birmingham, United Kingdom.
    Author
    https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5781-592X

  • Christogonus Chichebe Ekenwaneze

    MSc,Department of Biochemistry, College of Science and Technology, Covenant University, Ota, Nigeria; Covenant Applied Informatics and Communication Africa Centre of Excellence (CApIC-ACE), Covenant University, Ota, Nigeria; and Department of Multidisciplinary Studies & Statistics, PENKUP Research Institute, Birmingham, United Kingdom.
    Author
    https://orcid.org/0009-0002-9685-4694

  • Chidinma Chukwu

    MSc,Aspen Court Care Home, Derby, United Kingdom; and Department of Multidisciplinary Studies & Statistics, PENKUP Research Institute, Birmingham, United Kingdom.
    Author
    https://orcid.org/0009-0006-4432-106X

  • Inigbehe Oyinloye

    PhD,World Health Organization, United Nations House, Abuja, Nigeria; and Department of Multidisciplinary Studies & Statistics, PENKUP Research Institute, Birmingham, United Kingdom.
    Author
    https://orcid.org/0009-0000-6514-3465

  • Chinedu Ọgbọnnia Egwu Egwu

    PhD,Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu Alike, Ebonyi State, Nigeria; and Department of Multidisciplinary Studies & Statistics, PENKUP Research Institute, Birmingham, United Kingdom.
    Author

  • Daniel Obande Haruna

    MSc,Department of Psychology, St. Mary’s University, London, United Kingdom; and Department of Interdisciplinary Research & Statistics, PENKUP Research Institute, Birmingham, United Kingdom.
    Author
    https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8004-7794
Keywords:
Screening Uptake, Cervical Cancer Awareness, Vaccination, Preventive Health Behaviour
Abstract
Background: Cervical cancer (CC) remains a leading cause of preventable mortality among women in Nigeria and other low-and middle-income countries (LMICs), mainly due to inadequate screening uptake despite increasing public health campaigns. This study assessed awareness, attitudes, and screening behaviours related to cervical cancer among women residing in Nigeria.Methods: This was a cross-sectional online survey conducted using a structured, self-administered questionnaire that was distributed via social media platforms. A total of 718valid responses from women aged 18 years and above were analysed. Descriptive statistics were used to summarise the sociodemographic variables, awareness levels, and screening behaviours of the respondents. The associations between cervical cancer screening uptake and relevant variables were tested using Pearson’s chi-square.Results: Most respondents (92.9%) were aware of CC screening, yet only 29.9% had ever undergone a Pap smear or Human Papillomavirus (HPV) test. Only 32.2% had acted on that knowledge among those who were aware. Furthermore, 44.9% indicated they knew when screening should be done, but only 57.1% correctly identified the recommended three-year interval. Screening uptake was significantly associated with awareness (p= 1.27 × 10⁻⁶), marital status (p= 0.00072), age group (p= 2.09 × 10⁻⁹), and HPV vaccination status (p= 0.00020). The most frequently cited barriers to screening were cost (43.3%), limited access to screening centres (27.3%), and lack of awareness (23.6%). While 96.7% agreed that early detection improves survival, the media were widely acknowledged as an influential source of health information.Conclusion: High awareness and education levels among Nigerian women did not translate into adequate CC screening uptake.Addressing systemic barriers such as cost, misinformation, and limited-service access is essential. Targeted interventions that combine accurate health education, subsidised screening, and culturally sensitive outreach, particularly for younger, unmarried, and unvaccinated women, are crucial to improving uptake and reducing the cervical cancer burden in Nigerian women.  
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References

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Published
2026-01-16
Issue
Vol. 5 No. 1 (2026): Volume 05 Issue 01
Section
Articles
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Copyright (c) 2026 Jennifer Adaeze Chukwu, Festus Ituah, Bumi Jang, Japhet Haruna Jonah, Chisom Lucky Emeka, Oladipo Vincent Akinmade, Samuel Sam Danladi, Ulunma Ikwuoma Mariere, Abba Sadiq Usman, Kenechi Ike Gerald, Christabel A. Ovesuor, Kenneth Oshiokhayamhe Iyevhobu, Kennedy Oberhiri Obohwemu, Geno Ardo, Olubanke Olujoke Ogunlana, Christogonus Chichebe Ekenwaneze, Chidinma Chukwu, Kennedy Oberhiri Obohwemu, Jennifer Adaeze Chukwu, Olubanke Olujoke Ogunlana, Christogonus Chichebe Ekenwaneze, Chidinma Chukwu, Inigbehe Oyinloye, Chinedu Ọgbọnnia Egwu Egwu, Daniel Obande Haruna (Author)

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Cervical Cancer Screening in Nigeria: A Social Media Survey of Women’s Awareness, Beliefs, and Screening Uptake. (2026). Emerging Indexing of Global Multidisciplinary Journal, 5(1), 07-25. https://grpublishing.net/index.php/eigmj/article/view/82

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