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<!DOCTYPE ArticleSet PUBLIC "-//NLM//DTD PubMed 2.0//EN" "http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query/static/PubMed.dtd">
<ArticleSet>
<Article>
<Journal>
<PublisherName>Science and Education Publishing</PublisherName>
<JournalTitle>American Journal of Cancer Prevention</JournalTitle>
<Issn>2328-7314</Issn>
<Volume>4</Volume>
<Issue>2</Issue>
<PubDate PubStatus="epublish">
<Year>2016</Year>
<Month>7</Month>
<Day>18</Day>
</PubDate>
</Journal>
<ArticleTitle>Sexual Behavioral Pattern, Cervical Cancer Awareness and Screening Practices among Female Undergraduate Students of Public Universities in Anambra State, Nigeria</ArticleTitle>
<FirstPage>26</FirstPage>
<LastPage>32</LastPage>
<Language>EN</Language>
<AuthorList>
<Author>
<FirstName>Valentine C</FirstName>
<LastName>Ilika</LastName>
</Author>
<Author>
<FirstName>Chinomnso C</FirstName>
<LastName>Nnebue</LastName>
<Affiliation>Department of HIV Care and Department of Community Medicine, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital Nnewi, Nigeria</Affiliation>
</Author>
<Author>
<FirstName>Ngozi N</FirstName>
<LastName>Ikechebelu</LastName>
</Author>
<Author>
<FirstName>Chito P</FirstName>
<LastName>Anyanwu</LastName>
</Author>
<Author>
<FirstName>Amobi L</FirstName>
<LastName>Ilika</LastName>
</Author>
<Author>
<FirstName>Joseph I</FirstName>
<LastName>Ikechebelu</LastName>
</Author>

</AuthorList>
<ArticleIdList>
<ArticleId IdType="pii">AJCP2016422</ArticleId>
<ArticleId IdType="doi">10.12691/ajcp-4-2-2</ArticleId>
</ArticleIdList>
<History>
<PubDate PubStatus="received">
<Year>2016</Year>
<Month>3</Month>
<Day>28</Day>
</PubDate>
<PubDate PubStatus="revised">
<Year>2016</Year>
<Month>6</Month>
<Day>5</Day>
</PubDate>
<PubDate PubStatus="accepted">
<Year>2016</Year>
<Month>7</Month>
<Day>16</Day>
</PubDate>
</History>
<Abstract>Background: Risky sexual behavior, low level of awareness and poor screening uptake have been linked to the high prevalence of cervical cancer in our environment. Objective: To determine the sexual behavioral pattern, cervical cancer awareness and screening practices among female undergraduate students of public universities in Anambra state, Nigeria. Materials and methods: This was a descriptive cross sectional study of 342 female undergraduate students in Anambra state, Nigeria selected using a two stage sampling. Data was collected using a pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire and analysed using statistical package for social sciences version 22.0. Chi-square test was used to identify statistically significant associations between variables. A p value of ≤ 0.05 was considered significant. Results: The modal age at menarche, 215 (62.9%) was 13-15 years, while 18 (5.3%) first menstruated at ages below 10 years. Of the 311 (71.6%) that ever had sex, 289 (92.9%) had their coitarche at ages below 24 years, 209 (67.2%) were sexually active while 48 (15.4%) had multiple sex partners. About 310 (90.6%) have heard of cervical cancer, 269 (78.8%) were aware of cervical cancer screening, out of which 108 (40.2%) were aware of cervical cancer screening tests with Pap smear as the most mentioned screening test by 55 (51.0%). There were statistically significant associations between uptake of cervical cancer screening and [ever been pregnant (p=0.005), ever used contraceptives (p=0.001) and perceived need for cervical cancer screening (p=0.000) respectively. Conclusions: This study showed a good level of awareness of cervical cancer but cervical cancer screening practices was inadequate. We recommend educational programs and comprehensive cervical cancer screening strategy.</Abstract>
</Article>
</ArticleSet>
