Aims: Cervical cancer is the most common female genital tract carcinoma worldwide. Studies in Nigeria consistently show late presentation of cases with poor prognosis. This study aimed to determine awareness of market women about cervical cancer and their utilization of Pap smear test.
Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted in selected markets. Multi stage sampling technique was used for recruiting study participants. The SPSS statistical software was used for data entry, editing and analysis.
Results: Respondents’ were aged between 18 and 60 years with mean age 40.34±10.09 years. Most respondents (89.9%) were married and about two-thirds (62.8%) had no formal education. Only 18.1% of respondents had ever heard about cervical cancer, one-third (35.3%) of those were informed by their friends and only 1.1% had done a screening test previously.
Conclusion: Awareness about cervical cancer was poor and utilization of its screening services was worse. There is a need to create awareness about cervical cancer and demand for its screening services among the women populace.

We are thankful to

• Niger state Ministry of health, Minna, Niger state, Nigeria
• Department of Community Health, Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto, Nigeria
• The various market women associations, Niger state, Nigeria
• Niger state Ministry of Commerce and Tourism, Minna, Nigeria.

for their assistance in preparing the study.