Naseema Beevi A1, Smitha Sreenivas K2
ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: The benefits of cervical screening programmes in developed countries have been well documented. But deaths from cervical cancer are high in India due to low level of awareness about cervical cancer and screening. AIM: To determine the level of awareness of cervical cancer and Pap smear test and utilization of Pap test among health care workers in Government Medical College, Kozhikode. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a descriptive study conducted from January 1, 2014 to March 31, 2014 in the Government Medical College, Kozhikode, Kerala on women aged 21 to 65 years who were working as health care workers including nursing assistants and hospital attenders. They were randomly approached and data collected using a validated questionnaire. It included questions about demographic and fertility characteristics, level of knowledge of cervical cancer and Pap smear test and attitude towards Pap smear test and data was expressed in percentages. RESULTS: In our study majority were in the age group 36 to 55 years, 135(90%) and were married and living with husband 118(78.7%). Educational status in 65.3% was up to class 10.93. 3% had 1 to 3 children. About 30.7% had heard about cervical cancer from hospital. Regarding the awareness of Pap smear, 38.7% heard about Pap smear from the hospital. 46.7% had never heard about Pap smear. 7.3% of the women said that cervical cancer was preventable but were not aware of treatment and 8.7% said that it can be treated. 44.7% of the respondents believed that cervical cancer can be prevented and was also treatable. 48% knew that regular Pap smear screening can prevent cervical cancer. Only 6.7% were aware that Human Papilloma virus infection can lead to cancer and they knew that HPV vaccine can be given to prevent Human Papilloma virus infection. 31.3% identified multiple sexual partners as the important risk factor. Regarding the utilization of Pap smear, 30.7% had at least one Pap smear. Only 8.7% reported they had regular Pap screening and 84% of the respondents were willing to undergo Pap smear test in the future. CONCLUSIONS: In developing countries, women’s knowledge of cervical cancer is limited. We have to educate women about risk factors of cervical cancer and benefits of screening using Pap smear test and improve acceptability by providing accurate information and provide appropriate treatment.
