Knowledge Regarding Prevention and Management of Cervical Cancer Among Women in Amala Institute of Medical Sciences, Thrissur

Abstract

These days cervical cancer is the most common cancer among Indian women of reproductive age. Unfortunately, despite the availability of methods for prevention, most of the women remain unscreened. More than 60-70% of cancers are diagnosed in later stages with poor survival rate. Reasons for unscreening include lack of awareness of risk factors, symptoms and prevention, stigma and misconceptions about gynecological diseases and lack of national cervical cancer screening guidelines and policies. In order to reduce the incidence women should possess adequate knowledge and understanding about cervical cancer, its causes, signs and symptoms, early diagnostic measures, management and the preventive measures. The present study was aimed to assess the knowledge regarding prevention and management of cervical cancer among women in Amala Institute of Medical Sciences, Thrissur. The objectives of study were to assess the knowledge regarding prevention and management of cervical cancer among women, to determine the association of level of knowledge with selected baseline variables, and to prepare a pamphlet on prevention and management of cervical cancer. The research approach was quantitative and the research design adopted was descriptive design. Fifty women were selected by convenience sampling technique. Data was collected using structured questionnaire to assess the knowledge on prevention and management of cervical cancer and to assess the baseline line variables. The results showed that out of total 50 samples, 28 (56%) had poor knowledge level, 15 (30%) had average knowledge level, 6 (12%) had very poor knowledge level, 1 (2%) had good knowledge level and nobody had very good knowledge level.