Knowledge, Attitude and Practice about Cervical Cancer Screening Amongst Women Attendents of Cancer Patients Visiting Regional Cancer Centre

Volume : VIII, Issue : V, May - 2018

Kadam Priyanka R, Dave Pariseema S

Summary Aims and Objective: The Pap smear is a reliable, inexpensive and effective screening test for cervical cancer,

one of the most common cancers among women worldwide. We aimed to determine women‘s knowledge, attitude and

practices towards Pap smear and barriers for the screening.

Material and Methods: A cross–sectional questionnaire based study was conducted on 200 participants at Regional Cancer Centre (Gujarat

Cancer and Research Institute, Ahmedabad) from November to march 2014. Structured questionnaire based on demographic prole and

Knowledge, attitude and practice about cervical cancer were asked.

Results: Mean age of participants was 39.4 years. Only 39 % and 28 % had knowledge about cervical cancer and Pap smear respectively. The

uptake of Pap smear test was only 22 %. The most common reason for not having Pap test was lack of knowledge and no recommendation by

health providers. Embarassing, fear of the test result or economic problems were other barriers.

Conclusion: Knowledge and practice of the screening for cervical cancer was inadequate and need to be promoted. Considering the main reasons

mentioned by the participants for not having the test, all health providers should educate and encourage women to do regular Pap smear.