Poor Cervical Cancer Knowledge and Awareness among Women and Men in the Eastern Cape Province Rural Community

Zizipho Z. A. Mbulawa (), Lindelo L. Mahlangu, Esihle Makhabane, Sisanda Mavivane, Sindisiwe Nongcula, Anathi Phafa, Ayabonga Sihlobo, Mbalentle Zide, Athenkosi Mkiva, Thembeka N. Ngobe, Luxolo Njenge, Phumla Kwake and Charles B. Businge
Additional contact information
Zizipho Z. A. Mbulawa: National Health Laboratory Service, Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital, Mthatha 5100, South Africa
Lindelo L. Mahlangu: MBChB-3 2022 COBES Group, Faculty of Health Sciences, Walter Sisulu University, Mthatha 5100, South Africa
Esihle Makhabane: MBChB-3 2022 COBES Group, Faculty of Health Sciences, Walter Sisulu University, Mthatha 5100, South Africa
Sisanda Mavivane: MBChB-3 2022 COBES Group, Faculty of Health Sciences, Walter Sisulu University, Mthatha 5100, South Africa
Sindisiwe Nongcula: MBChB-3 2022 COBES Group, Faculty of Health Sciences, Walter Sisulu University, Mthatha 5100, South Africa
Anathi Phafa: MBChB-3 2022 COBES Group, Faculty of Health Sciences, Walter Sisulu University, Mthatha 5100, South Africa
Ayabonga Sihlobo: MBChB-3 2022 COBES Group, Faculty of Health Sciences, Walter Sisulu University, Mthatha 5100, South Africa
Mbalentle Zide: MBChB-3 2022 COBES Group, Faculty of Health Sciences, Walter Sisulu University, Mthatha 5100, South Africa
Athenkosi Mkiva: MBChB-3 2022 COBES Group, Faculty of Health Sciences, Walter Sisulu University, Mthatha 5100, South Africa
Thembeka N. Ngobe: MBChB-3 2022 COBES Group, Faculty of Health Sciences, Walter Sisulu University, Mthatha 5100, South Africa
Luxolo Njenge: MBChB-3 2022 COBES Group, Faculty of Health Sciences, Walter Sisulu University, Mthatha 5100, South Africa
Phumla Kwake: Tabase Community Health Centre, Eastern Cape Department of Health, Mthatha 5108, South Africa
Charles B. Businge: UCT-SAMRC Gynaecological Cancer Research Centre, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7700, South Africa

IJERPH, 2023, vol. 20, issue 20, 1-15

Abstract: Cervical cancer knowledge and awareness is low among South Africans despite high cervical cancer prevalence. This study aimed to investigate knowledge about the symptoms, signs, risk factors, and methods of prevention of cervical cancer among women and men in the rural Eastern Cape province, South Africa. This cross-sectional analytical study was conducted in the rural community of the OR Tambo municipality in the Eastern Cape province. 252 women and men aged ≥ 25 years were randomly recruited. Data were collected using semi-structured questionnaires. A knowledge score was categorized as “good” if it was ≥65%. The majority of participants (69.8%) were women. Only a proportion of 25.6% (51/199) of the participants had good overall knowledge about cervical cancer, and the majority of these (84.3%) were women. Women previously screened for cervical cancer had a significantly higher median cervical knowledge score than those who had never been screened ( p = 0.002). Only among women, good knowledge about cervical cancer was associated with a tertiary education level (OR: 3.17, 95% CI: 1.08–9.57, p = 0.044) and high household income (OR: 3.40, 95% CI: 1.24–9.75, p = 0.027). Both women and men in rural Eastern Cape had limited knowledge about the risk factors and prevention methods of cervical cancer. Public health strategies to improve knowledge and awareness of cervical cancer among both men and women are necessary.

Keywords: cervical cancer; knowledge; men; women; cervical cancer screening (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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