scholarly journals Knowledge, attitude and practice towards cervical cancer prevention among mothers of girls aged between 9 and 14 years: a cross sectional survey in Zimbabwe

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Petmore Zibako ◽  
Nomsa Tsikai ◽  
Sarah Manyame ◽  
Themba G. Ginindza

Abstract Background Cervical cancer (CC) morbidity and mortality is still high in developing countries like Zimbabwe. Treatment for CC is out of reach for many women, hence the need to maximise on prevention which mainly includes screening and administering human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine. Knowledge about CC prevention is a prerequisite for utilisation of all the available options for CC prevention, yet little is known about its levels and the corresponding attitudes and practices on cancer prevention methods within the society. Methods A cross sectional survey was done to assess knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) on CC prevention among mothers of girls aged between 9 and 14 years in Zimbabwe as well as factors explaining the KAP. Four hundred and six mothers participate. Descriptive and inferential statistics (binary logistic regression and Chi-Square test of association) were applied to determine participant characteristics with KAP using STATA version 16 software. Findings Overall KAP of cervical cancer prevention is in a poor state. The knowledge was poor with 24% being able to say CC is caused by HPV; the attitude is negative with 58% being of the opinion that CC is caused by witchcraft and it is a death sentence, while the bad practices of relying only on traditional means were being practiced. Factors associated with knowledge are: not having medical aid (odds: 0.17, 95%CI: 0.05–0.59, p = 0.005) and high levels of education (secondary level odds: 4.20; 95%CI: 2.25–7.84 p < 0.001 and tertiary odds: 7.75; 95%CI: 2.04–29.45, p-value: 0.003 compared to primary education). Attitude towards CC management was driven by levels of education (secondary level odds: 0.39, 95%CI: 0.20–0.78, p = 0.007 and tertiary odds: 0.12, 95%CI: 0.04–0.33, p < 0.001), the same factor increases odds of good practice (secondary odds: 3.78, 95%CI: 1.99–7.18, p < 0.001 and tertiary odds: 3.78, 95%CI: 1.99–7.18, p < 0.001). On the other hand, HPV vaccine knowledge was also very moderate (with majority of mothers not knowing the right age of vaccination; vaccine acceptability was high (90%), but uptake was very low (8% had their daughter vaccinated). Conclusion KAP about CC prevention was poor with factors necessary for improvement of KAP identified as education, medical insurance coverage. Making health education easily accessible in schools, primary health facilities and various media platforms will help to address the myths on causes of CC and how it can be treated. Health education and availability of free screening services and free vaccine will improve CC prevention out outcomes.

2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement 2) ◽  
pp. 196s-196s ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Mburu ◽  
P. Itsura

Background: Primary prevention of cervical cancer with the introduction of the human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccines is the next generation means to reduction of the disease burden in developing countries. Sexually active adolescents have the highest rates of prevalent and incident HPV infection rates with over 50%–80% having infections within 12 months of initiating intercourse. From May 2012 to March 2013, through the Gardasil Access Program, Eldoret received 9600 vaccine doses and vaccinated over 3000 girls aged 9-14. Despite this, there is little information on the knowledge of cervical cancer among adolescents and their amenability to accepting cervical cancer prevention strategies. Aim: To compare the knowledge of cervical cancer and acceptability of prevention strategies among vaccinated and nonvaccinated adolescents after an HPV vaccination initiative in Eldoret, Kenya. Methods: A cross-sectional comparative study carried out in 6 public schools which were clustered into 2 groups of 2. 60 vaccinated and 120 nonvaccinated adolescents were randomly selected from each of the schools by proportionate allocation. IREC approval obtained and signed consent got from the parents. Data collection was then carried out using interviewer-administered questionnaires. Results: The median age of the participants was 14.0 (IQR: 13.0-15.0). Of 60 vaccinated adolescents, 56 (93.3%) had heard of the HPV vaccine compared with 6 (5%) of unvaccinated participants ( P < 0.001). Fifty-eight (96.7%) of vaccinated participants heard of cervical cancer compared with 61 (50.8%) unvaccinated participants ( P < 0.001). The participants were not different in their knowledge of risk factors for developing cervical cancer or its symptoms but overall, the vaccinated participants had a significantly higher knowledge score compared with the unvaccinated participants 14.4 (95% CI: 12.2-16.7). Both cohorts identified the school as the commonest source of information for health matters as compared with social media or hospitals. The 2 groups also showed similarity in their selection of cervical cancer prevention strategies acceptable to them like delaying sexual debut until after the teenage years and frequency of using barrier method for protection against sexually transmitted infections. Similar proportions of participants from both cohorts showed high acceptability of screening modalities for cervical cancer (85% vs 86.7%, P = 0.940). Of the unvaccinated participants, 63.7% expressed willingness to be vaccinated. Conclusion: Exposure to the HPV vaccine was associated with a higher knowledge of cervical cancer. The adolescents predominantly rely on the school for their information. They show remarkable acceptability for cervical cancer prevention strategies but are limited by the dearth of information they have.


Vaccine ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 30 (12) ◽  
pp. 2075-2082 ◽  
Author(s):  
Serena Donati ◽  
Cristina Giambi ◽  
Silvia Declich ◽  
Stefania Salmaso ◽  
Antonietta Filia ◽  
...  

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (12) ◽  
pp. 1825
Author(s):  
Amit Kumar ◽  
Paridhi Garg

Background: Cervical cancer is one of the most important cancers in women. Cervical cancer is primarily caused by sexually transmitted human papilloma virus (HPV) infection. It has been proven that HPV vaccination, preferably before initiation of sexual life, is highly effective in HPV and cervical cancer prevention. So, this study was conducted to study the knowledge, attitude and practice about the significance of HPV and its vaccination among medical students.  Methods: This was a cross-sectional observational study conducted in a medical college. 200 medical students were requested to fill a questionnaire which covered demographic details, knowledge, attitude and practice towards HPV vaccination for cervical cancer prevention.  Results: Majority of the students knew that HPV may cause cancer in humans (94%), leading to cervical cancer in females (84.5%) and about the availability of its vaccine in India (79%). But only a few students were aware that it may even lead to cancer in males (52.5%), knew the correct dosing schedule (60%) and that even vaccinated female may develop cancer (36.5%). 74.5% considered its vaccine to be safe, 71.5% considered it effective and 68% considered it protective against sexual partner. Only 33.5% were vaccinated but 92.5% said that they would recommend HPV vaccine to their family.  Conclusions: Though the knowledge and attitude about the significance of HPV and its vaccination is good among the medical college students, but the practice of vaccination is poor.


BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. e047479
Author(s):  
Kah Teik Chew ◽  
Nirmala Kampan ◽  
Mohamad Nasir Shafiee

ObjectiveTo assess the perception and knowledge of cervical cancer prevention among fully vaccinated female university students in the era of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination.DesignCross-sectional using a validated questionnaire.SettingFace-to-face interview at a public university in Malaysia.Participants384 fully vaccinated female students were included in the study.ResultsThe total knowledge score in the questionnaire was 18 and was ranked according to score level into three groups: poor (score ≤5), moderate (score 6–10) and good (score ≥11). Mean score for knowledge of cervical cancer prevention was 8.24 (SD ±3.85), with 170 respondents (44.3%) scoring moderate knowledge level. The mean score for knowledge of HPV infection and its association with cervical cancer was 4.56±2.47, while the mean score for knowledge of HPV vaccination for cervical cancer prevention was 3.68 (SD ±1.98). A total of 186 (48.4%) respondents perceived that regular Pap smear was unnecessary after HPV vaccination. Respondents’ perceived seriousness and susceptibility of HPV infection correlated well with knowledge of cervical cancer prevention. Two main reasons for their acceptance of HPV vaccine were self-health awareness and free vaccination.ConclusionThe knowledge of HPV vaccination for cervical cancer prevention was average among vaccinated university students. Many of them had poor knowledge about Pap smear and did not consider regular Pap smear as an important cervical cancer screening tool following HPV vaccination. There is still a need for continued health education to improve the perception and knowledge about HPV infection and cervical cancer prevention among young adults in the community.


2014 ◽  
pp. 133-139
Author(s):  
Duc Tam Lam ◽  
Vu Quoc Huy Nguyen

Backgroud: Cervical cancer is a common disease after breast cancer. That is caused by Human papillomavirus (HPV) and now, we have HPV vaccin to prevent the disease with objectives: to determine rate of correct knowledge, attitudes and practice towards HPV vaccination against cervical cancer of mothers who have daughters aged 1 to 26 years old in An Binh ward, Ninh Kieu district, Can Tho city and to determine the relationship between correct knowledge and correct attitudes and correct behaviors towards vaccination against cervical cancer of these mothers. Materials and method: Cross-sectional, community survey on 410 mothers who are interviewed face to face by using a questionnaire. Results: The rate of correct knowledge, attitude and practice towards HPV vaccination against cervical cancer is 4.4%; 89.5%; 12.2%; respectively. There’s a correlation between correct knowledge and correct behaviors towards vaccination against cervical cancer among mothers (p<0.05), but no correlation between correct knowledge and correct attitudes. Conclusion: the rate of mothers who have correct knowledge and behaviors is relatively low but whose correct attitude is high. Therefore, may be they want to know more information about vaccination against cervical cancer so that it should have appropriate information-education-counseling and health care campaign to community. Keywords: Knowledge, Attitude, practice, vaccine, Human papillomavirus, cervical


2021 ◽  
Vol 79 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yilkal Tafere ◽  
Tezera Jemere ◽  
Tsion Desalegn ◽  
Addisu Melak

Abstract Background Cervical cancer is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among women in Ethiopia, often due to late disease diagnosis. Early prevention of cancer has been shown to be the most effective measure against the disease. Scientific evidences indicate that lack of awareness towards cervical cancer is a barrier to prevention strategies. Therefore, the aim of the current research was to assess women’s knowledge and attitudes towards cervical cancer preventions in South Gondar zone. Methods A community-based cross-sectional study was carried out in South Gondar zone, Ethiopia. The study sample comprised 844 women ≥ 18 years of age. Participants were selected using systematic sampling technique. Binary and multivariable logistic models were used to assess predictors of women’s knowledge and attitude towards cervical cancer. Results About 66 % of the women had heard about cervical cancer. Regarding the main source of information of respondents, 75.4 % were heard from health professionals. Sixty two point 4 % of women knew at least one preventive measure and 82.6 % of participants knew at least one symptom or sign. Among study participants, 25 and 64 % had good knowledge, and favorable attitude towards cervical cancer prevention measures, respectively. Being reside in rural (AOR = 0.21, 95 %CI; 0.18, 0.34), not attending formal education (AOR = 0.50, 95 % CI: 0.3, 0.75), low income (AOR = 0.57, 95 % CI: 0.43, 0.81) and having < 4 children ((AOR = 0.8, 95 % CI: 0.60–0.86) were negatively associated with knowledge toward cervical cancer prevention measures. Conclusions This study found the majority of the respondents had poor knowledge about cervical cancer prevention measures. The majority of the study participants had favorable attitudes regarding cervical cancer prevention. Living in rural areas, not attending formal education low income and having less than four children was negatively associated with respondents’ knowledge towards cervical cancer prevention measures. There is needed to scale up cervical cancer prevention measures and services .Further studies are needed using strong study design.


2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Kwuntida Uthaisar Kotepui ◽  
Manas Kotepui ◽  
Chuchard Punsawad

Malaria is a potential medical emergency and should be treated immediately because delays in diagnosis and treatment are the leading causes of death in many countries. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice related to malaria diagnosis for early detection among healthcare workers in the laboratories of hospitals in Thailand. The design of the study was a descriptive cross-sectional study carried out between January 2016 and March 2017 at 11 hospitals in Thailand. The interviewees included any scientists who were currently working in a medical laboratory. Mean scores for knowledge, attitude, and practice for each healthcare group were calculated and compared between groups. Data analysis was performed using the SPSS version 11.5 software package (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). Among a total of 118 healthcare workers, most of the healthcare workers had fair to good knowledge, attitude, and practice related to malaria detection. Among the various positions of healthcare workers, medical technologists possessed a greater knowledge on malaria detection than medical technician assistants or laboratory assistants (X2 = 9.822, d.f. = 2, and P value=0.007). This study infers that knowledge, attitude, and practice related to malaria detection among healthcare workers in laboratories were adequate. However, some points of knowledge and practice must be updated. There is a very urgent need to update knowledge on malaria, especially about the number of Plasmodium species causing relapse in malaria patients. In addition, there is an urgent need to update the practice related to malaria detection, especially about the staining process for early detection of malaria.


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