Awareness Creation on Cervical Cancer Screening: A Study of Living Healthy Programme on FRCN Kaduna

Awareness Creation on Cervical Cancer Screening: A Study of Living Healthy Programme on FRCN Kaduna

Abstract:

The research was conducted to assess the radio programme: Living Healthy, and its roles in creating awareness on Cervical Cancer and screening among women in Kaduna State. Though many researchers have resaearched on different aspects of Health Communication in relation to cervical cancer, there appears to be a paucity of awarness creation on cervical cancer screening. Four specific objectives were raised, which included to establish the number of women who access the FRCN‟s Living Healthy programme on radio; list women‟s opinion on cervical cancer screening based on the messages from “Living Healthy”; establish the awareness created by the Living Healthy programme on Cervical Cancer; and list the opinion of women on the time allotted to the Living Healthy programme.The theoretical framework on the Health Beleive Model as well as the Diffsion of Innovation Theory were adopted for this study because they focused on behavioural responses of women concerning their health. Quantitative survey method was used to conduct the investigation. Data were collected through the use of questionnaire with three hundred and sixty copies distributed, out of which three hundred and twenty three were returned and found useful. Data were analyzed using Statistical Programme for Social Sciences (SPSS). The findings revealed that women had access to radio and were more conversant with breast cancer as the most common female related cancer. Some of them expressed fear and uncertainty on the procedure of the screening exercise and therefore, the need to educate women on the process of screening. It was also established that the time allotted for the Living Healthy programme was not satisfactory. Women agreed that the screening exercise was important and they were willing to submit themselves. The weakness of Living Healthy revolves around the circulation and frequency of broadcast. Most of the respondents believe the programme lays more emphasis on breast cancer among the female related cancers. The following recommendations were made from the findings: more jingles, advertisements and dramas should be slotted periodically to serve as a constant reminder on the need for cervical cancer screening; women should engage in routine checkups; FRCN should identify the most appropriate days and time for broadcast; there is the need for government to work with international health organizations to ensure availability and affordability of vaccines and finally, there is also the need for media to collaborate with the rural populace to analyze the content and presentation of information about the disease.

Awareness Creation on Cervical Cancer Screening: A Study of Living Healthy Programme on FRCN Kaduna