Knowledge, Awareness and Prevention of Cervical Cancer among Women residing in urban slum of Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation

Dr Alpesh B Patel; Dr Falguni B Patel

Volume : VI, Issue : IV, April - 2017

Knowledge, Awareness and Prevention of Cervical Cancer among Women residing in urban slum of Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation

Dr Alpesh B Patel, Dr Falguni B Patel

Abstract :

Background: Cervical cancer is the third most common cancers among women worldwide, with highest mortality in India. This can be reduced by screening women for precancerous lesion and administration of human papilloma virus vaccine to adolescent girls. Knowledge of the adolescent girls and women about cervical cancer and its prevention are the key.

Methods: A cross sectional survey of 255 women of two urban slum area of Surat was conducted. Information about their knowledge of cervical cancer, awareness of its prevention was collected.

Results: Mean age of the study population was 36.54 � 8.5 years. Less than half of the study population (107, 41.9%) knew about cervical cancer. Majority (90%) were not aware about screening services and HPV vaccination.

Conclusion: Study population shows poor knowledge about cervical cancer and is unaware of the concept of prevention. Hence extensive health education to the public is needed regarding cervical cancer and its prevention.