Knowledge, attitude and preventive practices for cervical cancer risk factors among female secondary school students in a Nigerian community: a cross-sectional study

In some countries in sub-Saharan Africa, there is a lack of awareness of risk factors and preventive strategies for cervical cancer. Therefore, there is a need to assess the knowledge and preventive practices against cervical cancer. To assess the knowledge, attitude, and preventive practices for cervical cancer risk factors among female secondary school students of Enugu North Senatorial District, Enugu state. A descriptive cross-sectional questionnaire-based survey was conducted in five local government areas of Enugu-North senatorial district, Enugu State, from February 2022–September 2022. The study was conducted among female senior secondary school students. Descriptive (frequency and percentages) and inferential statistics (Chi-square to test for association) were conducted, and Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Out of the total respondents (n = 588), the majority, 577(98.1%) had poor knowledge of cervical cancer, and 555(94.4%) had poor attitude toward the cancer risk factors. The majority, 585(99.5%), had poor attitude towards preventive practices on cervical cancer. Willingness to take the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine was significantly associated with knowledge (p = 0.021) and preventive practices (p = 0.023). Attitude of the participants was significantly associated with willingness to take the HPV vaccine (p = 0.000) and to undergo cervical screening (p = 0.043). A high percentage of the students had poor knowledge of cervical cancer (98.1%). Majority of the students had poor knowledge, poor attitudes and poor preventive practice towards cervical cancer risk factors.