Asma Hasnat, Faiza Aslam.
Knowledge, attitudes and practices among women towards cervical cancer and prevention: study of a rural community in the suburbs of Rawalpindi.
Pak J Public Health Jan ;2(4):11-9.

Introduction: Cervical cancer is a highly prevalent cancer of the reproductive tract with an increasing incidence in Pakistan. This cancer affects the cervix or the neck of the womb and is caused by a persistent infection of Human Papilloma Virus (HPV).Incidents of cervical cancer in Pakistan are on the rise but through screening and vaccination we can successfully fight this deadly disease. This KAP-study was conducted in a rural area of Rawalpindi district to assess the knowledge, attitudes and practices of women of reproductive ages regarding the occurrence, diagnosis and prevention of cervical cancer and to explore any relationship between knowledge and socio-demographic factors. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted from September to November 2011 in two adjacent villages of union council Lodhra, Mohra Amir and Mohra Darogha. The study included 200 women in their reproductive ages (21-65 years). They were selected by using systematic random sampling technique. Detailed interviews were taken from participants using structured questionnaires. To quantitatively asses the knowledge of the study participants, a scoring system was developed, categorizing the study participants into three groups; poor knowledge, transitional knowledge and good knowledge. The data was entered and analyzed in Statistical Package of Social Sciences software version 16. Results: The study revealed poor level of knowledge regarding cervical cancer in 140(70%) of study participants whereas 53(26.5%) had transitional knowledge, leaving only 7(3.5%) women with good knowledge. Out of a total attainable score of 12, the mean score of our sample was found to be 2.94 (S.D. +2.93) with 57(28.5%) participants scoring straight zero. Majority of participants lacked positive attitude and only 5(2.5%) participants ever had Pap smear test done. Conclusion: The study revealed poor levels of knowledge in majority of the women in their reproductive ages residing in rural areas with lack of positive attitude towards cervical cancer in most of them and reflecting inadequate practices regarding early diagnosis, management and prevention of cervical cancer.

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