Abstract:
Objective: To evaluate the level of knowledge and awareness on symptoms and risk factors for ovarian cancer among women visiting two hospitals in Kigali.
Methods: We conducted a prospective cross-sectional study among women aged 18 years and above who visited as patient, caretaker, or visitor at the University Teaching Hospital of Kigali and Muhima District Hospital from March to August 2022. The “ovarian cancer awareness measure” tool developed in the United Kingdom was adapted and administered by research assistants to collect data. The scores were graded as low (0-50%), moderate (50-75%), and good (≥75%). Ethical approval was obtained before data collection.
Results: 150 participants were recruited with median age of 35 years (IQR: 51). 6.7% were health care professionals, 72.7% were Christians, and 27.3% were nulligravida. 28.7% were aware of ovarian cancer and health care professionals contributed to the minority as source of information. The mean and median scores were 21.9±34.2% and 0.0% (IQR: 5.0) for knowledge on symptoms respectively and 20.1±34.2% and 0.0 (IQR: 6.0) for knowledge on risk factors respectively. 76.0% and 76.7% had low level of knowledge respectively on symptoms and risk factors. Each symptom and risk factor was known by only 30.0% of the participants or less. Factors associated with higher knowledge scores were the same for knowledge on symptoms and knowledge on risk factors and were: living with male partner, having secondary or higher education, having no employment, being in category-3 of wealth index, and being aware of ovarian cancer.
Conclusion: The low level of knowledge on ovarian cancer among women in this study is alarming. It informs healthcare providers to improve health education to create knowledgeable population on their risks for ovarian cancer and symptoms that need early medical attention to improve the prognosis
