Knowledge and Practice about Cervical Cancer Screening among Women in a Rural Population of South India

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Knowledge and Practice about Cervical Cancer Screening among Women in a Rural Population of South India

Journal Title: Scholars Journal of Applied Medical Sciences - Year 2014, Vol 2, Issue 2

Abstract

Cancer Cervix happens to be the third most commonly diagnosed cancer and fourth leading cause of death among females in the globe. Most of the cases and deaths are seen in developing countries and India attributes to about 15% of the cancer deaths in the world mostly in rural areas. Hence the objectives of this study were to find the knowledge of women regarding cervical cancer, to determine screening practices and determinants, and to identify factors for non screening. A cross-sectional study was carried out among 800 village women of age group 15 years and above using systematic random sampling technique by a predesigned and a pretested questionnaire. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 17. Majority of study subjects were in the age group of 30-60 years. More than the half were illiterate, majority of them were hindu and most of them were married with parity of 1-5. Most of the women belonged to poor socio-economic status. Predictors for doing Pap test were who had knowledge of screening for cervical cancer and Pap test. 57.5 per cent of women with poor knowledge scores cited knowledge factors as compared to only 5.8 per cent of women with good knowledge score for not undergoing screening. A multinomial logistic regression confirmed that those with poor knowledge were significantly more likely to cite knowledge factors than psychosocial factors (OR=3.36, CI 1.007-11.218). Similarly those with at least a primary education were less likely to report knowledge factors compared to psychosocial factors (OR=0.347, CI 0.122- 0.198 P<0.05). Major proportions of the rural women were not aware of the risk factors of cervical cancer, the screening process and its importance as well as good hygienic practices. A comprehensive cancer awareness and screening program should be started in the district by involving medical college staff, school teachers, government officials etc. to create awareness about carcinoma cervix and to dispel misconceptions. Efforts should be made to prevent the disease and avert untimely deaths in young women.

Authors and Affiliations

Sudhir . , Deepa Krishna

Keywords

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EP ID EP374426
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