TITLE:
Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices of Health Providers on Cervical Cancer Screening at Libreville in 2019
AUTHORS:
Jean Pierre Ngou Mve Ngou, Arnice Ferey Edda Eya’a, Kevin Ngou Mve Ngou, Nathalie Ambounda, Marcel Metogo, Sidonie Ogoula, Jean François Meye
KEYWORDS:
Knowledge, Attitude, Practice, Cervical Cancer, Health Care Providers
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology,
Vol.15 No.10,
October
28,
2025
ABSTRACT: Objective: To assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of health care providers on cervical cancer screening at Libreville in 2019. Population and Method: This was a cross-sectional analytical study conducted from July 1, 2019, to January 1, 2020, in public health facilities in Libreville. The study population included gynecologists, general practitioners, midwives, and nurses. Data were collected using an anonymous questionnaire and analyzed with SPSS version 20. Chi-square tests were used to assess associations between variables. Prevalence ratios (PR) with the 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated. A p-value Results: A total of 401 providers were surveyed (mean age: 37 years). Knowledge was satisfactory in 92.5%; attitudes were favorable in 97.8% while only 23.2% reported good practices, defined as having ever performed a cervical cancer screening test on a patient. Specifically, 76.8% had never conducted such screening. Higher education level and professional category were significantly associated with satisfactory knowledge. Providers with satisfactory knowledge were more likely to have favorable attitudes (PR = 1.09, 95%CI = [1.01 - 1.16], p = 0.03). Knowledge also strongly influenced practice (PR = 8.33, 95%CI = [1.77 - 39.17], p = 0.007). The lack of training was the most frequently cited barrier to screening practice. Conclusion: Although knowledge and attitudes toward cervical cancer screening were high, practices remained poor. Targeted training programs are urgently needed to translate knowledge and attitudes into effective practices.