ASSESSMENT OF KNOWLEDGE, ACCEPTABILITY AND BARRIER TO CERVICAL CANCER SCREENING AMONGST WOMEN OF IMESI ILE COMMUNITY, OBOKUN LOCAL GOVERNMENT.

Cervical cancer is a crucial aspect of public health, encompassing the wellbeing of women health. This study is to assess the knowledge, acceptability and, barrier of cervical cancer screening among women in imesi ile community. The Health Belief Model was suited as the theoretical framework for this study. A descriptive cross-sectional study was used to select 399 women, using multistage sampling. A self-structured questionnaire was used as an instrument of data collection. The responses were analyzed with descriptive statistics (Frequency, Table and Percentage and graphical representation) using SPSS 25.0 and association between categorical variables were tested by chi square. Mean age of 30.3 +7.9 years. The result showed that Majority 303 (75.8%) had low knowledge about cervical cancer and its screening methods while 97 (24.3%) had high knowledge. Majority 313 (78.5%) had high score for factors influencing the acceptability and participation in cervical screening while 97 (21.8%) had low knowledge, 170 (43.4%) respondents confirmed lack of knowledge about screening, 81 (20.9%) confirmed lack of social support, 15 (3.8%) confirmed lack of symptom, 11 (2.8%) confirmed embracement 51 (13.1%) confirmed fear of positive result, 35 (8.8%) confirmed distance to the health facility, 32 (8.2%) confirmed fear of screening and 5 (1.3%) religious belief as barriers to cervical cancer screening. In conclusion the study found poor knowledge about cervical cancer and its screening methods among women in the Imesi Ile community.