Effect of Health Education on Knowledge, Attitude and Practice Regarding Cervical Cancer Screening Among Female Nurses Working In Tertiary Care Hospitals in Belgaum

Abstract

Background and objectives Cervical cancer is the second most common malignancy in women worldwide, and it remains a leading cause of cancer-related death for women in developing countries. The present study was undertaken to assess the knowledge and attitudes regarding cervical cancer and screening programs, the effect of intervention in the form of education and to find out various barriers faced by them. Methodology The present one year study was conducted in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Belgaum on 400 female Nurses working at KLES Dr. Prabhakar Kore Hospital and Medical Research Centre and District Hospital, Belgaum. Participants were randomized into two groups. A pretest questionnaire about the knowledge, attitude and perceived barriers about cervical cancer was given that is group A was educated while group B was given a pamphlet. Then a post test questionnaire was given to analyse the change. Results In this study, participants of group A gained significant knowledge about the condition (11.5%), treatment option (21%) (p<0.05), HPV infection (27% vs 24%), multiple sex partners (5.5%), use of OC pills (24%), vaginal discharge (6% vs 2%) (p<0.05) of cervical cancer. Also group A gained better knowledge for regularity (10.5% vs 3.0%) and target age group (12.5% vs 3.5%) for screening VIII of cervical cancer (p<0.05) and tests (31% vs 27%) and visual methods (27% vs 10.5%) of screening (p<0.05). Most of the participants in both the groups indicated lack of awareness as the commonest barrier (49% vs 52%). Conclusion and interpretation These results call for creation of health promotion and disease prevention policies as well as awareness campaigns and screening programs at all levels of the health sector.