Educational Intervention and Uptake of Cervical Cancer Screening Services among Female Civil Servants in Delta State, Nigeria

Abstract

Cervical cancer is a major public health concern among women, despite the availability of effective screening services capable of detecting precancerous changes before progression to invasive disease. Yet uptake of cervical cancer screening services remains low in many Nigerian settings, including among female civil servants who constitute an organised and accessible workforce for workplace-based health promotion. This study examined the effect of educational intervention on the knowledge and uptake of cervical cancer screening services among female civil servants in Delta State, and also identified selected socio-demographic determinants of uptake. The study was guided by three objectives and corresponding research questions. A quasi-experimental research design was adopted. The population of the study comprised 1,680 female civil servants, while the sample size was 336 respondents selected through multistage sampling procedures. The intervention consisted of four structured educational sessions on the meaning of cervical cancer, risk factors, signs and symptoms, prevention, and available screening services. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire developed by the researchers, validated by experts, and tested for reliability using Cronbach Alpha, which yielded coefficients of 0.80 and 0.78. Data were analysed using ANCOVA and Chi-square at the 0.05 level of significance. The study showed that the educational intervention significantly improved knowledge of cervical cancer screening services, F(4, 331) = 172.384, (p < .001), and significantly improved uptake of screening services, F(4, 331) = 152.705, (p < .001). The result also showed that age, marital status, educational qualification, location of residence, and personal income range significantly influenced uptake. The study concludes that educational intervention is effective in improving both knowledge and uptake of cervical cancer screening services among female civil servants in Delta State. It recommends sustained workplace-based health education and improved access to screening services.