Knowledge of Cervical Cancer Screening among Women in Rural Areas

Abstract

Introduction: Cervical cancer is the most preventable and successfully treatable form of cancer, as long as it is detected early and managed effectively. Cancers diagnosed in late stages can also be controlled with appropriate treatment and palliative care. Screening is therefore an important tool in detecting cancer. The objective of this research is to find about the depth of knowledge about cervical cancer among rural women. This is a cross – sectional study done in rural areas of Pondicherry (Koodapakkam and Katterikuppam) (around 10 Km). Our subjects were patients and attenders attending the PHC OPD in between January and March 2021. Women attending OPDs of PHC in and around Koodapakkam and Katterikuppam who are > 15 years of age were the study sample excluding pregnant women, lactating women, mentally ill women and post hysterectomy patients with sample size of 300 using a questionnaire. Our study Signifies that among 277 Hindu women, 68.59% were aware of Cervical cancer screening. Among 12 Muslims 75% were aware of Cervical cancer screening. Among 11 women following Christianity 63.63% were aware of cervical cancer screening. This proves that there is no significant association between religion and awareness. (p=0.43) In our study, among 67 illiterates, 64.17% were aware of Cervical cancer screening. Among 81 women with primary school education ,65.43 % were aware of Cervical cancer screening. Among 57 women who went to high school 77.19% were aware of Cervical cancer screening. Among 38 women with higher secondary education, 68.42% were aware of Cervical cancer screening. among 49 graduates, 71.42% were aware of Cervical cancer screening. Among 8 post graduates 37.5% were not aware of Cervical cancer screening. There is association between education and awareness. (p=0.001). Totally, among 208 women under 45 years of age, 73.07% were aware of Cervical cancer screening and among 92 women more than 45 years of age 58.69% were aware of Cervical cancer screening. There is significant association between age and awareness (p=0.005).