Knowledge Adequacy on Cervical Cancer Among African Refugee and Non-Refugee Women in Brisbane, Australia

Abstract

Cervical cancer is a significant public health issue, especially in the developing countries of sub-Saharan Africa. To examine knowledge adequacy on cervical cancer and screening test among African refugee and non-refugee women in Brisbane and further examine whether the level of knowledge vary between refugee and non-refugee women. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 254 African-born women conveniently sampled from the Brisbane local government area. The outcome measures were knowledge on cervical cancer and Pap smear. In the multivariate logistic regression analysis non-refugees were more likely than refugees to have adequate knowledge about cervical cancer. Also, non-refugee women who were older and educated beyond secondary school, were more likely to have good knowledge about Pap smear test than refugee women. Overall, knowledge level about cervical cancer is limited among the participants and non-refugee women were more likely than refugee women to have good knowledge about cervical cancer and the screening test. These findings may inform the development of health education interventions for the targeted population to improve knowledge and awareness about cervical cancer and the screening guidelines in Australia.

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