Журнал передовой практики сестринского дела

Knowledge and Practice Regarding Cervical Cancer Screening Among Women Attending Gynecology OPD, B.P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences Dharan, Nepal

Abstract

GayatriRai

Cervical cancer is the fourth most frequent cancer in women with an estimated 570,000 new cases in 2018 representing 6.6% of all female cancers. In Nepal, cervical cancer ranks as the 1st most frequent cancer among women age between 15 and 44 years. A comprehensive approach that includes prevention, early diagnosis, effective screening and treatment programmes reduce the high mortality rate from cervical cancer globally. Objective of the study was to identify the knowledge and practice of cervical cancer screening among women attending gynecology OPD.A descriptive cross-sectional study design was used in this study. Hundred and fifty women were selected through purposive sampling technique. A pretested semi structured interview schedule was used to measure research variables. Frequency, percentage, mean and chi-squired test were used to analyze the data.Out of 150 women, mean age was 39.41 ± 10.26 and 78.7% respondents were Hindu. Slightly more than half (52.0%) were heard about cervical cancer screening. Among them, less than half (46.2%) had adequate knowledge and only 8.7% of women had practice of cervical screening. There were no association between knowledge and sociodemographic variables as well as practice and socio-demographic variables. Majority of women have inadequate knowledge and no practice of cervical cancer screening. Therefore cervical cancer screening and awareness program should be emphasized.