Awareness and Utilisation of Cervical Cancer Screening Among Women of Reproductive Age in Kaduna State

Cervical cancer screening through visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA), Pap smear, or HPV testing represents the primary secondary prevention strategy against cervical cancer, yet utilisation among Nigerian women of reproductive age remains alarmingly low. This study assesses awareness and utilisation of cervical cancer screening services among women of reproductive age in Kaduna State, North West Nigeria. A community-based cross-sectional survey enrolled 300 women aged 25 to 65 years from urban and rural communities in Kaduna North and Chikun LGAs. A structured questionnaire assessed awareness of cervical cancer and screening methods, prior screening uptake, and barriers to screening. Awareness of cervical cancer was 61 percent, but awareness of any screening method was only 33 percent. Only 8.7 percent had ever undergone any form of cervical cancer screening. Younger age, lower educational level, and rural residence were significantly associated with low awareness and uptake. Fear of abnormal results (42 percent), lack of knowledge of screening centres (38 percent), and financial cost (31 percent) were leading barriers. The study identifies profound awareness and access deficits in Kaduna State cervical cancer screening. Recommendations include integration of VIA screening into routine gynaecological outpatient services, community health worker sensitisation programmes, subsidised screening at PHCs, and media campaigns targeting women of reproductive age in both urban and rural Kaduna communities. Keywords: cervical cancer screening, awareness, Kaduna State, VIA, reproductive health