KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICE RELATED TO CERVICAL CANCER AND SCREENING AMONG WOMEN: COMMUNITY BASED CROSS – SECTIONAL STUDY

Introduction: To assess the level of knowledge, attitude, and practices of women of reproductive age of 20 – 70 years on their understanding of the risk factors of cervical cancer, its early detection, and prevention. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in rural areas of Komarapalayam from August 2016 to January 2017 by using pre-tested modified questionnaire. The purpose of the questionnaire was to assess the demographic data, exposure to risk factors, knowledge, attitude, and practice of the participants toward cervical cancer. Results: A total of 500 married women have participated in this study. Majority 26.6% had the secondary education; most common 34% age group being 31 – 40 years. 39% had first childbirth and 34.6% were married between 19 to 22 years; 27.8% had abnormal uterine bleeding were the most common prevalence of risk factors. Mostly 98.4% and 96.6% were heard about cervical cancer and its screening. Many women 82.2% had never undergone cervical cancer screening and 98.9% of the women had never been vaccinated. The main sources of information were friends and relatives (42.8%) and fear of procedure (30.4%) was the main barrier for not undergoing cervical screening. Conclusion: The knowledge about risk factors, sign were very poor, but the method of prevention was good about cervical cancer in the study population. Most of the women had never undergone screening and vaccination for cervical cancer. But their attitude is favourable for screening.