Awareness and Uptake of Cervical Cancer Screening Among Women of Reproductive Age in Ogun State, South West Nigeria

Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among women in Nigeria, yet screening coverage remains critically low, particularly in peri-urban and rural communities of the South West geopolitical zone. This study assesses the level of awareness and uptake of cervical cancer screening services among women of reproductive age in Ogun State, investigating the role of knowledge, perceived susceptibility, stigma, and access to health facilities as determinants of screening behaviour. A descriptive cross-sectional design is applied, with 350 women aged 25 to 65 years recruited from community health centres across three local government areas using purposive and systematic sampling. Data are collected through a validated structured questionnaire and analysed using SPSS, with logistic regression identifying predictors of screening uptake. Studies from comparable contexts indicate that fewer than 15 percent of eligible women in South West Nigeria have undergone cervical cancer screening in the past three years, primarily due to limited awareness and fear of a positive diagnosis. The study is conceptually guided by the Health Belief Model, which explains preventive health action through perceived severity and self-efficacy. Findings will provide evidence for designing community-based awareness campaigns and increasing facility-level screening capacity. The study aligns with the World Health Organisation's 2030 strategy to eliminate cervical cancer as a public health problem. Keywords: cervical cancer screening, awareness, reproductive age women, Ogun State, South West Nigeria.