Keyword: Community health nurses
1 result found.
Original Article
Epidemiology and Health Data Insights, 2(4), 2026, ehdi048, https://doi.org/10.63946/ehdi/18909
ABSTRACT:
Background: Cervical cancer remains a major public health challenge globally and disproportionately affects women in low- and middle-income countries, including Ghana. Community health nurses (CHNs) play a critical role in promoting cervical cancer prevention, education, screening advocacy, and referral services within rural and underserved communities. However, limited evidence exists regarding their cognizance of cervical cancer and related service delivery practices within community-based healthcare settings in Ghana. This study assessed cervical cancer cognizance and service delivery practices among community health nurses within the Krobo Enclave in the Eastern Region of Ghana.
Methods: A quantitative cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among community health nurses within the Upper Manya Krobo, Lower Manya Krobo, and Yilo Krobo municipalities between January and April 2020. Using a census sampling approach, all 177 eligible community health nurses were targeted for participation. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire assessing socio-demographic characteristics, general awareness, knowledge, and cervical cancer-related service delivery practices. Descriptive statistics, Chi-square analysis, logistic regression, and Spearman’s rank correlation analysis were performed using STATA version 14.
Results: A total of 145 community health nurses participated in the study, yielding a response rate of 81.9%. Most respondents demonstrated low general awareness regarding cervical cancer (62.8%), although moderate overall knowledge levels were observed, with 55.9% demonstrating high knowledge scores. Knowledge regarding cervical cancer risk factors, prevention, symptoms, and treatment was generally satisfactory; however, knowledge and practical experience related to screening procedures such as Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid (VIA) and Pap smear testing were limited. Cervical cancer service delivery practices were generally poor, with 67.6% of respondents demonstrating low service delivery practice scores. Educational level was significantly associated with general awareness (p = 0.015). A weak but statistically significant positive relationship was observed between cervical cancer cognizance and service delivery practices (r = 0.20, p = 0.015).
Conclusion: Although community health nurses demonstrated moderate knowledge regarding cervical cancer, general awareness and service delivery practices were suboptimal. The findings suggest that knowledge alone may not translate into effective cervical cancer prevention practices within community healthcare settings. Regular in-service training, practical screening workshops, and strengthened integration of cervical cancer prevention services within the Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) system are needed to improve community-level cervical cancer prevention and early detection efforts in Ghana.
Methods: A quantitative cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among community health nurses within the Upper Manya Krobo, Lower Manya Krobo, and Yilo Krobo municipalities between January and April 2020. Using a census sampling approach, all 177 eligible community health nurses were targeted for participation. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire assessing socio-demographic characteristics, general awareness, knowledge, and cervical cancer-related service delivery practices. Descriptive statistics, Chi-square analysis, logistic regression, and Spearman’s rank correlation analysis were performed using STATA version 14.
Results: A total of 145 community health nurses participated in the study, yielding a response rate of 81.9%. Most respondents demonstrated low general awareness regarding cervical cancer (62.8%), although moderate overall knowledge levels were observed, with 55.9% demonstrating high knowledge scores. Knowledge regarding cervical cancer risk factors, prevention, symptoms, and treatment was generally satisfactory; however, knowledge and practical experience related to screening procedures such as Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid (VIA) and Pap smear testing were limited. Cervical cancer service delivery practices were generally poor, with 67.6% of respondents demonstrating low service delivery practice scores. Educational level was significantly associated with general awareness (p = 0.015). A weak but statistically significant positive relationship was observed between cervical cancer cognizance and service delivery practices (r = 0.20, p = 0.015).
Conclusion: Although community health nurses demonstrated moderate knowledge regarding cervical cancer, general awareness and service delivery practices were suboptimal. The findings suggest that knowledge alone may not translate into effective cervical cancer prevention practices within community healthcare settings. Regular in-service training, practical screening workshops, and strengthened integration of cervical cancer prevention services within the Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) system are needed to improve community-level cervical cancer prevention and early detection efforts in Ghana.
