A newly published cross-sectional investigation has revealed that female nursing students in Port Harcourt, Nigeria, maintain generally high levels of knowledge and positive attitudes regarding cervical cancer prevention, yet face an acute gap when it comes to their own personal uptake of preventive services. The study, which evaluated selected indicators of professional preparedness among university students, identified that while the vast majority recognize the lifesaving potential of screening and understand basic prevention pathways, only a minor fraction have ever undergone a screening procedure or received immunization against human papillomavirus.
Published in the journal BMC Nursing, the analytical cross-sectional inquiry focused on 299 female nursing students aged 18 years and older who were enrolled in accredited Bachelor of Nursing Science programmes across Port Harcourt. The research team implemented a structured sampling procedure that began with proportionate allocation across the participating institutions and academic years of study, followed by simple random sampling utilizing computer-generated random numbers. Data collection was conducted through a structured questionnaire administered on paper at the University of Port Harcourt, alongside digital online administration at Rivers State University and PAMO University of Medical Sciences.
Assessing foundational awareness among the cohort, investigators noted that 286 out of the 299 participants had previously heard of cervical cancer. Within this informed group, 252 individuals, or 88.1 percent, were specifically aware of cervical cancer screening. Across the entire sample, 214 students, representing 71.6 percent of the surveyed population, demonstrated good knowledge on measured indicators. Exactly the same proportion, 71.6 percent, correctly identified both medical doctors and trained nurses as qualified healthcare providers equipped to administer cervical screening examinations.
Participant attitudes toward clinical interventions were overwhelmingly receptive across the sampled university cohorts. A total of 266 respondents, or 89.0 percent, agreed that routine screening helps prevent cervical cancer. Furthermore, when asked about potential personal participation, 279 students, representing 93.3 percent, expressed a willingness to undergo screening provided that the clinical service was made available safely and at no cost.
Despite this strong conceptual baseline and willingness to participate, reported utilization of preventive health procedures remained remarkably low among the future nursing workforce. Only 19 students, representing just 6.4 percent of the sample, reported having ever undergone previous Pap smear screening in their lifetime. Similarly, human papillomavirus vaccination coverage was notably depressed, with only 42 respondents, or 14.0 percent, reporting that they had received the protective immunization against the viral precursor to cervical malignancy.
Institutional infrastructure and access barriers were also examined to contextualize the low coverage numbers reported by the participants. Within the surveyed student body, only 55 respondents, corresponding to 18.4 percent, reported that human papillomavirus vaccination services were actively available within their academic institutions.
Among the 280 respondents who had never undergone a Pap smear screening examination, researchers documented several specific structural and psychological obstacles. A substantial proportion, comprising 94 individuals or 33.6 percent, cited inadequate information as the primary deterrent preventing them from obtaining a screening test. Financial barriers and emotional concerns also featured prominently in non-uptake explanations, with 36 students, or 12.9 percent, identifying test costs as their primary hindrance, while 34 students, or 12.1 percent, cited fear of the screening procedure itself.
Statistical evaluation using chi-square tests confirmed that the level of cervical cancer knowledge varied substantially across demographic and educational segments of the cohort. Knowledge scores demonstrated a statistically significant association with participant age, registering a p-value of 0.025, as well as an even stronger association with the participant’s current year of study, with a p-value of less than 0.001.
The study authors concluded that while female nursing students display favorable knowledge and attitudes, there is a pronounced discrepancy separating cognitive readiness from personal preventive action. The researchers emphasized that while their findings provide useful diagnostic insight into specific dimensions of cervical cancer prevention relevant to nursing education, the metrics examined do not represent a comprehensive assessment of overall professional clinical readiness or workplace competence. They called for subsequent studies to examine curricular content, clinical exposure models, and local access barriers to vaccination and screening.
Subject of Research: Cervical cancer prevention readiness and screening uptake among female nursing students in Port Harcourt, Nigeria
Article Title: Professional readiness for cervical cancer prevention among female nursing students in Port Harcourt, Nigeria: implications for nursing education
Article References: Okafor, C. S., Ojie, E. G., Okenya, C. G., Dimkpa, B. M., Omeodu, N., Oyadotun, M., & Adeniji, F. (2026). Professional readiness for cervical cancer prevention among female nursing students in Port Harcourt, Nigeria: implications for nursing education. BMC Nursing. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12912-026-05668-8
Image Credits: AI Generated
DOI: 10.1186/s12912-026-05668-8
Keywords: cervical cancer prevention, nursing students, Port Harcourt, Nigeria, cervical cancer screening, Pap smear, HPV vaccination, nursing education, cross-sectional study, preventive health, healthcare knowledge, health promotion, vaccination barriers, screening uptake, Bachelor of Nursing Science, health attitudes
