Awareness about cervical cancer risk factors and symptoms

Background: Lack of awareness of risk factors and symptoms for cancer may leads to late diagnosis and poor prognosis. A Cross-sectional population-based survey was conducted to assess community awareness about cervical cancer risk factors and symptoms and perceptions about prevention and cure of cervical cancer.Methods: The cross-sectional study included 200 married women aged 18 years and above who consented for the study.Results: In present study, out of 200 respondents, the risk factors for cervical carcinoma known to females were HPV infection in 30 (15%), multiparity and reproductive tract infection in 24 (12%) each, frequent childbirth in 22 (11%), early marriage in 18 (9%) and multiple sexual partners in 12 (6%).158 (79%) females knew vaginal bleeding between menses as symptom of cervical cancer. 132 (66%) knew symptom as foul-smelling vaginal discharge, 86 (42%) as lower abdominal pain, 82 (41%) as loss of appetite and weight while 52 (26%) females knew the symptom as postcoital bleeding. 54 (27%) respondents knew that pap smear test should be done as screening test to detect cervical cancer in early stage while 22 (11%) respondents knew about HPV vaccine as preventive measure.Conclusions: Recognition of cervical cancer risk factors and symptoms was low among study participants. Targeted interventions including increasing availability of HPV vaccination, population-based cervical screening and diagnostic services can translate high awareness into actual benefits.

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Knowledge and Awareness of Cervical Cancer Risk Factors among Educated Youth: A Cross Sectional, e-Questionnaire Based Survey among the College Students of Jammu City

Cross Current International Journal of Medical and Biosciences ◽

10.36344/ccijmb.2021.v03i03.003 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 3 (3) ◽

pp. 36-41

Author(s):

Ankita Khajuria ◽

Sandeep Dogra ◽

Bella Mahajan

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

College Students ◽

Cervical Cancer ◽

Cancer Risk ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Cancer Risk Factors ◽

Cervical Cancer Risk

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Awareness of cervical cancer risk factors and symptoms: cross-sectional community survey in post-conflict northern Uganda

Health Expectations ◽

10.1111/hex.12382 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 19 (4) ◽

pp. 854-867 ◽

Cited By ~ 25

Author(s):

Amos D. Mwaka ◽

Christopher G. Orach ◽

Edward M. Were ◽

Georgios Lyratzopoulos ◽

Henry Wabinga ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Cervical Cancer ◽

Cancer Risk ◽

Community Survey ◽

Northern Uganda ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Cancer Risk Factors ◽

Cervical Cancer Risk ◽

Post Conflict

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Knowledge of cervical cancer risk factors and symptoms among women in a refugee settlement: a cross-sectional study in northern Uganda

Conflict and Health ◽

10.1186/s13031-020-00328-3 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 14 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Winnie Adoch ◽

Christopher Orach Garimoi ◽

Suzanne E. Scott ◽

Geoffrey Goddie Okeny ◽

Jennifer Moodley ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Cervical Cancer ◽

Cancer Risk ◽

Knowledge Score ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Single Women ◽

Northern Uganda ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Cancer Risk Factors ◽

Cervical Cancer Risk

Abstract Background There are limited data on awareness of cervical cancer risk factors and symptoms among refugee populations living in Uganda. In this study, we sought to determine the awareness and knowledge of cervical cancer risk factors and symptoms among women in Palabek refugee settlement, northern Uganda. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study. 815 women (aged 18–60 years) were randomly selected using multistage sampling in Palabek refugee settlement. Data were collected using pre-tested, structured questionnaires. Logistic regression models were used to determine magnitudes of association between socio-demographic and health system factors, and knowledge on cervical cancer risk factors and symptoms. Results The majority of participants (53%, n = 433) were young (18–29 years), married (68%, n = 553), and did not have formal employment (93%, n = 759). Less than half (40%, n = 325) had heard of cervical cancer. Of those who had heard, most recognized multiple male sexual partners, early onset of sexual intercourse and HPV infections as risk factors for cervical cancer (93%, n = 295; 89%, n = 283; and 86%, n = 271 respectively). Median knowledge score for risk factor recognition = 7 (IQR: 3–9). Median knowledge score for symptoms recognition = 7 (IQR: 1–10). Half of women (50%, n = 409) correctly recognized 7 to 11 symptoms of cervical cancer, with vaginal bleeding between menstrual periods, pelvic pain, and vaginal bleeding during/after sexual intercourse recognized by 58, 52 and 54% respectively. Single women (OR = 0.59 (95%CI: 0.38–0.94), and women that lived farther than 1 kilo meter from nearest health facility in South Sudan (OR = 0.36–0.49 (95%CI: 0.26–0.84) were less likely to be knowledgeable of symptoms of cervical cancer. Conclusion A significant proportion of women in Palabek refugee settlement had not heard about cervical cancer. Refugee health services providers could increase awareness of cervical cancer risk factors and symptoms through health education in order to promote risk reduction behaviours and guide women during symptoms appraisal. Single women and those who lived more than one kilo metre from nearest health facility in home country could be a priority group for awareness intervention in the settlement.

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Nurses’ and midwives’ knowledge, attitudes, and acceptance regarding human papillomavirus vaccination in Ghana: a cross-sectional study

BMC Nursing ◽

10.1186/s12912-020-00530-x ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 20 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Nancy Innocentia Ebu ◽

Gifty Esinam Abotsi-Foli ◽

Doreen Faakonam Gakpo

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Cervical Cancer ◽

Human Papillomavirus ◽

Hpv Vaccination ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Cancer Risk Factors ◽

Cervical Cancer Risk ◽

Nurses And Midwives

Abstract Background Nurses and midwives play important roles in educating the public on cervical cancer prevention strategies. Aim This study sought to assess nurses’ and midwives’ knowledge of, attitudes towards, and acceptance of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination in relation to their background characteristics. Methods A descriptive cross-sectional study using questionnaires was conducted with a convenience sample of 318 female nurses and midwives, ages 20 to 59, at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital in Ghana. The data were summarised using frequencies, percentages, chi-square tests, and Fisher’s exact tests. Results The results indicated that 41.5% (n = 132) of the participants had high levels of knowledge about cervical cancer risk factors, and 17.6% (n = 56) of the respondents had received at least one dose of the HPV vaccine. Reasons for receiving the HPV vaccination included advice from a colleague (12.9%, n = 41) and perceived threat of cervical cancer (11.7%, n = 37). Of the 262 respondents who had not been vaccinated, 24.45% (n = 78) strongly agreed and 28.0% (n = 89) agreed with the statement that there was limited information on HPV vaccination. Also, there were statistically significant associations between age (X2 = 23.746, p = 0.001), marital status (X2 = 14.758, p = 0.005), completed level of education (X2 = 21.692, p = 0.001), and duration of working at the hospital (X2 = 8.424, p = 0.038) and acceptance of HPV vaccination. Conclusions This study demonstrated gaps in knowledge about cervical cancer risk factors and attitudes towards HPV vaccination, indicating the need for targeted measures to improve knowledge and attitudes. Also, measures to increase acceptance of HPV vaccination among nurses and midwives should consider their sociodemographic characteristics.

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