ASSESSMENT OF KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICE REGARDING CERVICAL CARCINOMA AMONG MEDICAL STUDENTS IN UDAIPUR, RAJASTHAN

Dr. Shikha Mehta; Dr Chhavi Shripat

Volume : VIII, Issue : VII, July - 2019

ASSESSMENT OF KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICE REGARDING CERVICAL CARCINOMA AMONG MEDICAL STUDENTS IN UDAIPUR, RAJASTHAN

Dr. Shikha Mehta, Dr Chhavi Shripat

Abstract :

INTRODUCTION: Cervical cancer–related deaths among women in India are often due to late diagnosis of disease. Knowledge about disease and early screening is the most effective measure for cervical cancer prevention. Lack of awareness, negative attitude, and poor practice about cervical cancer and screening are the major causes to increase the incidence of disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross–sectional, hospital–based survey was conducted in medical students of RNT Medical College, Udaipur, Rajasthan, India. A total of 100 subjects were enrolled and subjected for interview using prevalidated KAP questionnaire on cervical cancer. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Mean score of knowledge depicts that majority of students (53.1%) had an average level of knowledge, 31.9% had poor level of knowledge and remaining 15% students had good knowledge. Attitude towards vaccination depicts that 78% students had positive attitude followed by 15% students who had negative attitude, while 81% followed good practice. There was no significant difference between male and female medical students. There was positive but weak association between knowledge and attitude and and attitude and practice. 81.4% students wanted to get vaccination, among them only 19.6% students could spend money on vaccination, while 80.3% desired that govt should provide HPV vaccination facility. CONCLUSION: Although students are having good knowledge, positive attitude toward cervical cancer screening and prevention still there is a gap to transform it into practice. There is a need for more educational programs to connect identified knowledge slits and uplift of regular practice of cervical cancer screening.