Awareness of Cervical Cancer and Uptake of Pap Smear Among Female Traders in Kaduna Metropolis

Background: Cervical cancer is the second most common female malignancy in Nigeria, and inadequate screening uptake continues to drive late-stage diagnoses, particularly in urban informal sectors of the North West geopolitical zone. This study assesses awareness of cervical cancer and uptake of Pap smear screening among female traders in Kaduna metropolis. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 240 female traders using a structured interviewer-administered questionnaire. Participants were selected through systematic sampling across major markets. Data were analysed with SPSS version 25 using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: Awareness of cervical cancer was relatively high; however, Pap smear uptake remained very low. Fear of the procedure, misconceptions, and unavailability of screening services at accessible points were identified as major barriers. Women with prior contact with healthcare workers demonstrated higher screening rates. Conclusion: The disconnect between awareness and screening behaviour among female traders in Kaduna highlights the need for community-integrated screening services. Family medicine outreach programmes targeting informal market communities should be prioritised within the national cervical cancer prevention strategy. Keywords: cervical cancer, Pap smear, awareness, female traders, Kaduna