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Cervix: Poster Abstract: Cervical cancer screening of female of rural community of Nepal: Knowledge, attitude and practices
This article was originally published by Wolters Kluwer - Medknow and was migrated to Scientific Scholar after the change of Publisher.
Abstract
Purpose and Objectives:
Cervical cancer is leading female cancer in Nepal. Despite the existence of effective screening using Pap smear, the uptake of screening is poor. This is mainly due to lack of knowledge, lack of availability of services in rural area and low priority of women's health issue. Objectives of this study were to determine the baseline information about the knowledge of cervical cancer and explore attitude and practice of Pap smear screening among the women of rural community of Nepal.
Materials and Methods:
A cross sectional population based descriptive study of female attending free health camp in different rural community of Nepal organized by Nepal Cancer Hospital was conducted using self-administered questionnaire to elicit information on demographic characteristics, knowledge, screening behaviors and determinants of cervical cancer. Knowledge is elicited about eligibility for screening and screening interval according to American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) guidelines. Practices are evaluated as having ever been screened themselves. Attitudes referred to the various reasons for not getting screened themselves.
Results:
A total of 500 women participated in this study, out of which 44.4% (228) were either illiterate or just educated up to primary school. Mean age of participates were 40.6±10.3 yrs. 47.4% (238) of women married before age of 18 and 57% (258) women had their first childbirth before age of 21 years. Only 33.8% (169) female knew that cervical cancer is preventable and is curable in early stage. Although 42.6% (213) women heard about Pap smear, only 38.2% (191) knew about eligibility of screening and 11% (55) knew about screening interval. However, knowledge of risk factors for cervical cancer was found in 8.2% (41). About 26.8% (134) women had done Pap test at least once. The most common reason for not doing Pap test is they never heard about it (41.8%: 209). The other reason includes do not know where to do (9.6%: 48); never adviced by doctor (9%: 45); embarrassment (2.4%: 12); fear of finding out cancer (3.2%: 16) and do not have any symptoms (2.4%: 12).
Conclusions:
The study revealed low cervical cancer knowledge and poor screening behavior among the women. This may be suggestive of even poorer awareness and screening and practices among older women who are less educated or with no education.
