A cross sectional study on awareness about risk factors of cancer cervix among women of reproductive age in the rural field practice area of a medical college

Abstract

Background: Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women with an estimated. 6,04,000 new cases in 2020 representing 66% of all female cancers. It is the leading cause of cancer-related death among women. Objectives: To assess the awareness about risk factors of cancer cervix and factors associated with it. Subjects and Methods: This is a community-based cross-sectional study done in rural field practice area of a Medical College, Hyderabad, Telangana from March to June, among all consenting women in reproductive age group. Data were collected using a predesigned semi-structured questionnaire which contains questions on sociodemographic factors, reproductive risk factors such as age at marriage, prolong use of OCPs, and multiple births. Results: Out of the 270 females, respondents belonged majorly to 25 − 34 years age group. About 76.2% of the respondents (206/270) had heard about cervical cancer, of the 76.2% of the study subjects who had heard about cancer cervix, none of them were aware about pap test and vaccination for human papilloma virus (HPV) which is meant to prevent cancer cervix. Conclusion: The study showed that women had a fair knowledge about risk factors and symptoms of cancer cervix. Awareness on screening tests, i.e., pap test, HPV vaccinations was poor.

Keywords

• awareness
• cancer
• cervix