Cancer Management and Research (Jun 2023)
Socio-Demographic Factors and Other Predictors of Pap Test Uptake Among Women: A Retrospective Study in Ghana
Abstract
Kofi Boamah Mensah,1 Adwoa Bemah Boamah Mensah,2 Peter Yamoah,3 Jennifer Manfo,4 Richmond Amo,5 Ebenezer Wiafe,6 Neelaveni Padayachee,7 Varsha Bangalee8 1Department of Pharmacy Practice, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana; 2Department of Nursing, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana; 3Department of Pharmacy Practice, University of Health and Allied Sciences, Kumasi, Ghana; 4Pharmacy Department, Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Kumasi, Ghana; 5Internal Medicine & Department of Herbal Medicine, University Hospital & Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana; 6Pharmacy Department, Ho Teaching Hospital, Ho, Ghana; 7Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa; 8Discipline of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South AfricaCorrespondence: Kofi Boamah Mensah, Email [email protected]: The World Health Organization has reported a rise in cervical cancer in Ghana. Ghanaian women predominantly undergo opportunistic Pap smear screening for cervical cancer. Numerous studies have documented differences in the sociodemographic traits of participants undergoing Pap smear testing or screening, which correlates with their screening habits. This study aims to assess sociodemographic variables, including others that determine Pap test utilization at a single center in Ghana.Methods: A single-center survey was conducted by extracting data from the records of women who walked in for Pap smear testing. A telephone survey was also conducted among these women to document their barriers to utilizing the center. For data analysis, descriptive statistics and chi-square were utilized.Results: A total of 197 participants’ records were retrieved for the study. Most participants were market women (69.4%) and uneducated (71.4%). Their Pap smear screening records indicate that the majority (86%) had no history of cervical cancer screening, and only 3% tested positive for Pap smear test. Educational level, occupation and family history of cancer significantly correlated with participants’ Pap smear history (p 0.05). The perceived barrier identified by most participants was the need for more information (67.40%) on the test.Conclusion: This study revealed that sociodemographic and gynaecological factors do not correlate with Pap test results. However, education level, occupation, and family history of cancer were significantly associated with the history of Pap smear uptake. The most significant barrier hindering Pap smear services was the need for more information.Keywords: pap smear, cervical cancer, sociodemographic factors, gynaecological factors, screening, women, Ghana
