Journal of Epidemiology and Global Health

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Volume 8, Issue 1-2, December 2018, Pages 34 - 41

Women’s Knowledge on Ovarian Cancer Symptoms and Risk Factors in Nigeria: An Institutional-based Study

Authors
Adeyemi Adebola Okunowo1, *, Victoria Olawunmi Adaramoye2
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Medicine, University of Lagos/Lagos University Teaching Hospital, PMB 12003, Lagos, Nigeria
2Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Lagos University Teaching Hospital, PMB 12003, Lagos, Nigeria
*Corresponding author. Email: yemiokunowo@gmail.com
Corresponding Author
Adeyemi Adebola Okunowo
Received 22 March 2018, Accepted 17 July 2018, Available Online 31 December 2018.
DOI
10.2991/j.jegh.2018.07.002How to use a DOI?
Keywords
Ovarian cancer; knowledge; symptoms; Nigeria
Abstract

Ovarian cancer is the 2nd most common and the deadliest gynecological malignancy in Nigeria; yet very little is known about women’s knowledge about the disease in our environment. We evaluated the levels of awareness of ovarian cancer risk factors and symptoms among the Nigerian women, and also determined the factors that predict it. A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among 400 women attending out-patient clinics at Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Lagos, Nigeria. Using a structured questionnaire, we assessed their knowledge of ovarian cancer risk factors and symptoms and the factors that influence it. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20.0. Sixty-three percent of the participants were found to be aware of the disease, whereas only 19.5% and 14.0% demonstrated good knowledge of its symptoms and risk factors, respectively. High level of education and previous conversation with a doctor on ovarian cancer were the only factors that significantly predicted good knowledge of symptoms and risk factors (p < 0.05). The knowledge of ovarian cancer is extremely poor among women in Lagos, Nigeria. Education of the girl child and health education of women about the disease by healthcare providers is important. This will significantly enhance women’s knowledge and encourage early presentation and detection of the disease.

Copyright
© 2018 Atlantis Press International B.V.
Open Access
This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC license (http://creativecommons.org/licences/by-nc/4.0/).

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<Previous Article In Issue
Next Article In Issue>
Journal
Journal of Epidemiology and Global Health
Volume-Issue
8 - 1-2
Pages
34 - 41
Publication Date
2018/12/31
ISSN (Online)
2210-6014
ISSN (Print)
2210-6006
DOI
10.2991/j.jegh.2018.07.002How to use a DOI?
Copyright
© 2018 Atlantis Press International B.V.
Open Access
This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC license (http://creativecommons.org/licences/by-nc/4.0/).

Cite this article

risenwbib
TY  - JOUR
AU  - Adeyemi Adebola Okunowo
AU  - Victoria Olawunmi Adaramoye
PY  - 2018
DA  - 2018/12/31
TI  - Women’s Knowledge on Ovarian Cancer Symptoms and Risk Factors in Nigeria: An Institutional-based Study
JO  - Journal of Epidemiology and Global Health
SP  - 34
EP  - 41
VL  - 8
IS  - 1-2
SN  - 2210-6014
UR  - https://doi.org/10.2991/j.jegh.2018.07.002
DO  - 10.2991/j.jegh.2018.07.002
ID  - Okunowo2018
ER  -