Impact of nursing educational intervention on pap smear knowledge and screening uptake among women in cross river state, Nigeria.
- 1Department of Nursing Science, University of Calabar, Nigeria.
- 2Department of Nursing Science, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, Nigeria.
- 3Department of Public Health, University of Calabar, Nigeria.
Abstract
Background
Cervical cancer remains a leading cause of preventable deaths among Nigerian women, largely due to poor awareness and low Pap smear uptake. Empowering nurses to deliver focused educational interventions may bridge this gap. This study assessed the effectiveness of a nurse-led educational intervention in improving knowledge of cervical cancer and promoting Pap smear screening among women in Cross River State, Nigeria.Materials and methods
A single-blind, parallel-group randomized controlled trial using a pre-test/post-test non-equivalent control design was conducted among 306 women selected through multistage sampling. Participants were assigned to intervention (n = 153) and control (n = 153) groups. Data were obtained using a validated, researcher-developed questionnaire administered face-to-face at baseline and post-intervention. The intervention group received structured, nurse-led education on cervical cancer and the Pap smear test, while the control group received no exposure during the study period.Results
Baseline findings showed poor knowledge of cervical cancer and Pap smear screening in both groups (85.6 vs. 86.9%). Post-intervention, good knowledge increased to 43.8% in the intervention group compared to 14.4% in controls. Pap smear uptake rose from 4.6 to 47.1% in the intervention group but remained static at 7.2% among controls.Conclusion
The nurse-led educational intervention produced a marked improvement in both knowledge and screening behavior. Nurses, as frontline health educators, are pivotal in driving community-level awareness and screening uptake, aligning with the global pursuit of Sustainable Development Goal 3.
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BibTeX
@article{osuchukwu2026impact,
title = {{Impact of nursing educational intervention on pap smear knowledge and screening uptake among women in cross river state, Nigeria.}},
author = {Easter C Osuchukwu and Mathias Agba and Nneka Edith Ubochi and John Ita and Nelson Osuchukwu},
journal = {Journal of education and health promotion},
year = {2026},
month = sep,
doi = {10.4103/jehp.jehp_1448_25},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42924289},
note = {CC BY-NC-ND},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Impact of nursing educational intervention on pap smear knowledge and screening uptake among women in cross river state, Nigeria.
AU - Easter C Osuchukwu
AU - Mathias Agba
AU - Nneka Edith Ubochi
AU - John Ita
AU - Nelson Osuchukwu
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/09/30
JO - Journal of education and health promotion
DO - 10.4103/jehp.jehp_1448_25
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42924289
AB - Background Cervical cancer remains a leading cause of preventable deaths among Nigerian women, largely due to poor awareness and low Pap smear uptake. Empowering nurses to deliver focused educational interventions may bridge this gap. This study assessed the effectiveness of a nurse-led educational intervention in improving knowledge of cervical cancer and promoting Pap smear screening among women in Cross River State, Nigeria.Materials and methods A single-blind, parallel-group randomized controlled trial using a pre-test/post-test non-equivalent control design was conducted among 306 women selected through multistage sampling. Participants were assigned to intervention (n = 153) and control (n = 153) groups. Data were obtained using a validated, researcher-developed questionnaire administered face-to-face at baseline and post-intervention. The intervention group received structured, nurse-led education on cervical cancer and the Pap smear test, while the control group received no exposure during the study period.Results Baseline findings showed poor knowledge of cervical cancer and Pap smear screening in both groups (85.6 vs. 86.9%). Post-intervention, good knowledge increased to 43.8% in the intervention group compared to 14.4% in controls. Pap smear uptake rose from 4.6 to 47.1% in the intervention group but remained static at 7.2% among controls.Conclusion The nurse-led educational intervention produced a marked improvement in both knowledge and screening behavior. Nurses, as frontline health educators, are pivotal in driving community-level awareness and screening uptake, aligning with the global pursuit of Sustainable Development Goal 3.
SN - 2277-9531
SN - 2319-6440
ER -