Risk Factors and Preventive Measures of Cervical Cancer among Women of Reproductive Age in Southeast, Nigeria

Cervical cancer is a significant public health issue among women of reproductive age in Southeast Nigeria. Despite advances in preventive measures, awareness and uptake remain low, contributing to the high incidence of the disease in the region. This study investigates the risk factors and preventive measures of cervical cancer among women in Southeast, Nigeria. A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted across the five states of Southeast Nigeria (Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo). The study population included women aged 15-49 years, who had resided in the region for at least one year and provided informed consent. A multistage sampling technique was used to select a representative sample of 235 participants from urban and rural communities. Data was collected through structured questionnaires administered via face-to-face interviews. Descriptive statistics were employed using SPSS software version 26 to analyze the data. The study identified multiple risk factors for cervical cancer, including early sexual activity (22.13%), multiple sexual partners (45.96%), and low awareness of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) (39.57%). Preventive measures such as cervical cancer screening (41.70%) and HPV vaccination (22.09%) were poorly utilized. A significant portion of the participants (74.04%) had never undergone cervical cancer screening, and only 29.36% had received the HPV vaccine. The findings highlight the urgent need for enhanced education and outreach programs to increase awareness of cervical cancer risk factors and preventive measures in Southeast Nigeria. Strategies should focus on promoting cervical cancer screening and HPV vaccination while addressing barriers such as lack of awareness, access to services, and cultural beliefs.宫颈癌是尼日利亚东南部育龄女性面临的重大公共卫生问题。尽管预防手段已取得进展，但当地民众的宫颈癌相关认知水平与预防措施的采用率仍处于低位，进而推高了该地区的宫颈癌发病率。本研究针对尼日利亚东南部女性群体的宫颈癌危险因素与预防措施展开调研。本次研究采用横断面描述性研究设计，覆盖尼日利亚东南部五个州（阿比亚州、阿南布拉州、埃邦伊州、埃努古州及伊莫州）。研究对象为年龄介于15至49岁、在该地区居住满至少一年且签署知情同意书的女性。本研究采用多阶段抽样法，从城乡社区中抽取235名具有代表性的受试者。数据通过面对面访谈形式发放的结构化问卷进行收集，并使用SPSS 26统计软件完成描述性统计分析。研究识别出多项宫颈癌相关危险因素，包括过早性行为（占比22.13%）、多性伴行为（占比45.96%）以及对人乳头瘤病毒（Human Papillomavirus, HPV）认知不足（占比39.57%）。宫颈癌筛查（占比41.70%）与HPV疫苗接种（占比22.09%）等预防措施的普及率均偏低。其中74.04%的受试者从未接受过宫颈癌筛查，仅29.36%的受试者完成了HPV疫苗接种。本研究结果凸显了在尼日利亚东南部强化健康宣教与外展推广项目的紧迫性，以提升当地人群对宫颈癌危险因素及预防措施的认知水平。后续相关策略应聚焦于推广宫颈癌筛查与HPV疫苗接种，同时解决认知匮乏、医疗服务可及性不足及文化观念障碍等问题。