CHATER 3
METHODOLOGY
3.1 STUDY DESIGN
A cross-sectional research design will be used for this investigation. A single moment in time
will be used to gather data, providing a snapshot of women's awareness on cervical cancer
screening uptake and prevention. Surveys that are cross-sectional are useful for determining
the factors and level of knowledge related to a specific health behaviour.
3.2 STUDY AREA AND POPULATION
The study will be carried out in Tamale, Ghana, at the Tamale Teaching Hospital's Oncology
Unit. This facility makes an excellent research location since it serves as a hub for
reproductive and children's health services in the Northern region. The only teaching hospital
in Ghana's northern region, Tamale Teaching Hospital has a capacity of 800 beds and covers
a catchment area of about 4 million people. It serves as the primary referral facility for the
Northern, Savannah, North East, Upper East, and Upper West areas as well as the primary
clinical teaching facility for University for Development Studies School of Medicine and
Health Sciences, Tamale medical students. The hospital was first called the Tamale Regional
Hospital when it was founded in 1974. Its purpose was to offer a range of healthcare services
to the inhabitants of Ghana's three northern regions—the Upper East, Upper West, and
Northern. Up until the Republic of Ghana's government recently made decisions to split off
various areas, resulting in the formation of the Savannah and North East regions in the
northern sector.
The oncology unit is one of the departments and centres that make up the hospital. Roche
Product Ghana Limited, in partnership with World Child Cancer, developed an oncology
centre for the hospital. The purpose of the facility is to improve cancer patients' access to
high-quality healthcare in the Northern Catchment Area. Once more, to supplement the
hospital's current oncology centre and improve the quality of care for cancer patients who, up
until now, had to wait in long lines to receive attention owing to the strain on the current
facility, the humanitarian Nelly Foundation and the National Petroleum Authority (NPA)
built a new oncology facility.
3.2.1 INCLUSION CRITERIA
The study will include only women, as the research focuses on assessing the knowledge of
women regarding the prevention and uptake of cervical cancer screening. Participants must
be 18 years of age or older and should be women who have visited or are visiting the
Oncology Unit of Tamale Teaching Hospital.
3.2.2 EXCLUSION CRITERIA
Men and individuals who do not identify as women will be excluded from the study, as the
research specifically targets women. Participants under the age of 18 will not be included in
the study. Individuals who have not visited the Oncology Unit of Tamale Teaching Hospital
will be excluded from the study.
3.3 SAMPLING PROCEDURE AND SAMPLE SIZE
The approach of systematic random sampling will be employed to choose participants. The
study will extend an invitation to participate to each and every woman who visits the
Oncology Unit. The relevant statistical computations will be used to estimate the sample size
in order to guarantee that the study has sufficient power.
The sample size will be determined using the Cochran formula: n =
𝒁𝟐 𝑷(𝟏−𝑷)
𝒅𝟐
Where n is the sample size desired, Z is the Z-score corresponding to the desired level of
confidence. (e.g., Z = 1.96 for 95% desired confidence level), P is the estimated proportion
of women with knowledge (P is unknown because there is no prior information available, so
it will be assumed as 50% =0.5), d is the margin of error (precision)= 0.05 (5%).
n=
𝟏.𝟗𝟔𝟐 𝟎.𝟓(𝟏−𝟎.𝟓)
𝟎.𝟎𝟓𝟐
= 384.16
Therefore, the sample size desired for our study was 385 participants.
3.4 DATA COLLECTION TOOLS
A standardized survey questionnaire created especially for the study will be used to gather
data. The questionnaire will ask about awareness of cervical cancer screening, knowledge of
prevention, and knowledge of obstacles to the use of cervical cancer screening services.
3.5 DATA COLLECTION PROCEDURE
Both closed-ended and open-ended questions will be included in the questionnaire to collect
data on awareness of and obstacles to cervical cancer screening. To guarantee
appropriateness and clarity, pre-tests of the questionnaires will be conducted. An enumerator
who can speak the local dialect will be employed to help collect data from women who
cannot speak English.
3.6 DATA ANALYSIS PLAN
Statistical software like SPSS version 27 will be used to analyse the data that has been
gathered. The participant's knowledge levels and demographic data will be summed together
using descriptive statistics. We will use inferential statistics, such as logistic regression and
chi-square tests, to determine the variables linked to the uptake of cervical cancer screening.
3.7 ETHICAL CONSIDERATION
An introductory letter will be obtained from the research committee of the Tamale Nurses’
and Midwives Training College and presented to the Tamale teaching hospital's research
committee for permission. Rationale for the study and the need for their participation will be
explained. Informed consent will be from each participant before they enrolled onto the
study, and their identity and confidentiality will be protected at all times.