A study to assess the Knowledge regarding Cervical Cancer among Women

 

Ms. S. Shakila1*, Dr. S. Rajasankar2, Dr. N. Kokilavani3

1Associate Professor, Adhiparasakthi College of Nursing, Melmaruvathur

2Professor, Velammal Medical College Hospital and Research Institute, Anuppanadi, Madurai

3Principal , Adhiparasakthi College of Nursing, Melmaruvathur

*Corresponding Author Email: shakilaobg@gmail.com

 

ABSTRACT:

Background: Cervical cancer is second  most  common  cancer  in the world and leading  cause  of  death from  cancer  among women  in  developing  countries.

Objectives: To assess the level of knowledge regarding cervical cancer among women and to find out the association between knowledge score regarding cervical cancer with selected demographic variables of women.

Design:                Univariant  research designs were adopted for this study.

Setting: The study was conducted in Melmaruvathur Adhiparasakthi Institute of Medical Sciences and Research.  Kanchipuram   district

Participants: 50 women who fulfill the inclusion criteria were selected as sample .

Methods: The study design was univariant research design was used for the study. The convenient   sampling technique was used to select the fifty samples. The data were collected by administering the structured knowledge questionnaire on cervical cancer to assess the level of knowledge among women.

Results: The study finding revealed that the  women  had 35(70%) inadequate knowledge and 15(30%) had moderate knowledge regarding cervical cancer .Some of the demographic variables like educational status, religion and source of information are significantly association at (p<0.05) with knowledge score of women.

 

KEYWORDS: Cervical cancer, women.  

 

 

 

INTRODUCTION:

Cervical cancer is an important women’s reproductive health problem. It is a preventable disease of significant public health concern especially in developing countries. 83% of more than 4, 93,000 new cases of cervical cancer and nearly 85% of all cervical cancer deaths globally occur in developing countries. Its impact on the lives of women worldwide is indisputable.It is the second most leading cause of death from cancer among women in developing countries.

 

Globally, cervical cancer remains as an important cause of mortality among young women. In 2005, almost 260,000 women died from cancer of the cervix globally. Nearly 95% of the deaths occur in developing countries. A woman’s lifetime risk of developing and dying from invasive cancer in Nigeria is 2.1% and 1.7%, respectively. From 60 to 80% is seen in advanced stages if diagnosed at all with a low probability of long-term survival. At least 5, 00,000 new cases are identified each year, and more than 90% are in developing countries with rates highest in Central America, sub-Saharan African, and Melanesia. This makes cervical cancer one of the gravest threats to women’s lives.

 

Unlike many cancers, cervical cancer can be prevented. This is because the cervix is easily accessible. This prevention can be achieved using relatively inexpensive technologies to detect abnormal cervical tissue before it progresses to invasive cervical cancer. Most developed countries like the United States saw dramatic reductions in the incidence and death rates from cervical cancer following the implementation of organized screening programmes. Accessibility to treatment, early detection, reduction in parity, and other risk factors have contributed to this decline.

 

It has been estimated that only about 5% of women in developing countries have been screened for cervical dysplasia in the past five years, compared with about 85% in developed countries.

 

In Nigeria, cervical cancer remains the most common reproductive tract malignancy, and the age adjusted incidence rate is approximately 28.5 per 100,000. Most cases of cervical cancer are diagnosed predominantly at advanced clinical stages III and IV. Also, as in most other developing countries, no organized screening programme exists.

 

According to Ms. Anusha D Souza et al. (2014)  on assess level of risk of cervical cancer among women  study reveals that 65 (65%) women were at moderate level of risk of cervical cancer and 31(31%) at severe level and 4(4%) were at mild level of risk. there was a significant association found between education and age of the women at marriage (8.279), age at first child birth(14.949), number of children (30.451), regular menstruation (15.932), perineal hygiene practice (11.931) at p<0.05.Association was also found between occupation of the women and number of children (20.813), regular menstruation (11.794), practice of perineal hygiene (5.725), gynaecological consultation (4.071) at p<0.05.The findings of the study helps the investigator to identify the risk factors of cervical cancer.

 

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM:

A study to assess the knowledge regarding cervical cancer among women

 

OBJECTIVS:

1.           To assess the level of knowledge regarding cervical cancer among women

2.           To find out the association between knowledge score regarding cervical cancer with selected demographic variables of women.

 

HYPOTHESIS

Ho: There is no significant association between the knowledge score and selected demographic variables of women.

H1: There is significant association between the knowledge score with selected demographic variables of women

 

METHODOLOGY:

Research Approach

Descriptive Survey Approach was considered as the appropriate measure to assess the level of knowledge regarding cervical cancer among women.

 

Research Design

Univariant research design was used in this study.

 

Setting

The study was conducted in Melmaruvathur Adhiparasakthi Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Kanchipuram district.

 

Sample

Women who attend the Gynaec out-patient Department at MAPIMS.

 

Sample Size

50 women

 

Sampling Technique

Non probability convenient sampling technique was used to select the samples.

 

Criteria for sample selection

Inclusive Criteria

Women attending Gynaec Outpatient Department at MAPIMS.

Women who are willing to participate in the study.

 

Exclusive Criteria

Women who are not willing to participate in the study.

 

Development and description of the tool

Section A:

Socio demographic variables of the samples

 

Section B:

Structured Questionnaire regarding cervical cancer was used.

 

Procedure for data collection:

Prior to the data collection permission was obtained from the concerned authority of the organization for conducting the study.  Subjects were selected according to the selection criteria and confidentiality was assumed.  Data was obtained using structured knowledge questionnaire regarding cervical cancer were used.

 

 

 

Table 1

Demographic Variables

Score

%

Association chi Square

Research Value

DF

Table Value

AGE

 

2

5.99

20-30

29

58%

2.15

31-40

16

32%

 

 41-50

5

10%

 

>50

0

0%

 

EDUCATIONAL STATUS

 

ILLETRATE

6

12%

13.14

3

7.82

PRIMARY

3

6%

 

HIGHER SECONDARY

17

34%

 

GRADUATES

24

48%

 

OCCUPATION

 

AGRICULTURE

6

12%

3.24

3

7.82

GOVERNMENT

27

54%

 

PRIVATE EMPLOYEE

12

24%

 

OWN BUSINESS

5

10%

 

RELIGION

2

5.99

HINDU

41

82%

11.42

 

CHRISTIAN

5

10%

 

MUSLIM

4

8%

 

OTHERS

0

0%

 

INCOME

3

7.82

1000-2000

8

16%

3.24

 

2001-3000

10

20%

 

3001-4000

18

36%

 

≥ 4001

14

28%

 

NO.OF CHILDREN

2

5.99

ONE CHILD

23

46%

4.94

 

TWO CHILDREN

21

42%

 

THREE

CHILDREN

6

12%

 

FOUR CHILDREN

-

 

SOURCE OF INFORMATION HEALTH PROFESSION

11

12%

9.21

3

 

7.82

TV/ RADIO

6

12%

 

NEWSPAPERS

21

42%

 

FRIENDS

12

24%

 

 

 

Data presented in the table (1) indicate the association between selected demographic variables such as education, religion, and source of information exists a significant association with the knowledge source of women.

 

Hence the research hypothesis H1 is accepted.

Some of the demographic variables like age, occupation, income, no of children’s are not significantly association with knowledge score of women. Hence H0 is accepted.

 

Section –A

Demographic variables of the samples

Result

First objective:- To assess the level of knowledge regarding cervical cancer among women.

The data presented in table (2) shows that On assessment of women regarding cervical cancer the mean score of the samples 39.02, mean deviation (1.93) with Standard deviation (2.69) was obtained .The women had 35(70%) inadequate knowledge and 15(30%) had moderate knowledge regarding cervical cancer selected demographic variables like educational status, religion and source of information are statistically   significant associations found with their knowledge score of women. 

 

Section A: Table (1) shows that classification of respondent by demographic characteristic, Majority of women (29) 58%, belong to 20-30 years, (16) 32% belong to 31-40 years and (5) 10% belong to 41-50 years,

 

Table (1) shows that 6(12%) are illiterate, 3(6%) belong to higher secondary school and 24(48%) belong to graduates,

 

Table (1) shows that 6(12%) belong to agriculture, 27 (54%) are government employee, 12(24%) are private employee and 5(10%) are doing their own business.

 

Table (1) Majority women 41 (82%) are Hindu, 5(10%) are Christian 4(8%), are Muslim (18) 36%.

 

Table (1) shows that 18 (36%) getting salary of Rs (3001 -4000), 14 (28%) are getting Rs. (>4001), (10) 20% are getting Rs (2001 – 3000), and 8(16%) are having the income of Rs 1000-2000 only

 

Table (1) shows that 23(46%) of women have one child, 21(42%)of them have two children and 6(12%) mothers have three children.

 

Table (1) shows the source of information of the respondent 11(22%) received source of information through health professional, 6 (12%) through TV/Radio, 2 (42%) through news paper and 12 (24%) through friends and relatives.

 

Second objectives:

To find out the association between knowledge score regarding cervical cancer with selected demographic variables among women

Data presented in the table indicate the association between the knowledge of women with selected demographic variables, such as educational status, religion and source of information are statistically significant association at [*p<0.05] level. Hence H1 was accepted.

 

The variables like age, occupation, income, number of children are not significantly association at [P>0.05]. Hence here H0 is accepted.

 

Table 2- Classification of women level of knowledge regarding Cervical Cancer

Knowledge level

Category

Respondent

Number

Percent

Inadequate

<50% score

35

70%

Moderate

51-75%

15

30%

Adequate

>75% score

-

-

Total

 

50

100%

 

Score

Adequate

Moderate

Inadequate

100%

>75%

51-75%

<50%

 

Mean

Median

SD

1.93

1.63

2.69

 

CONCLUSION:

Convenient sampling technique was used and the study participant who fulfill the inclusion criteria were selected and data were collected by administrating structure knowledge questionnaires. Privacy was ensured .The result showed that majority 35(70%) had inadequate knowledge of 15(30%) had moderately adequate knowledge regarding cervical cancer among women. It was statistically proved that education, religion and source of information are significant association (P<0.05) with knowledge score of women. There by H1 is accepted for selected demographic variables. The demographic variables like age, occupation, income, and number of children, are not significant association at (P >0.05). Hence H0 is accepted. The study finding revealed that it’s the responsibility for the health professional to create awareness to all women regarding cervical cancer and to develop desirable attitude to practice healthy behavior and will help to reduces the morbidity and mortality  rate of cervical cancer. Factors like education and source of information helps to develop desirable attitude and knowledge regarding cervical cancer.

 

Prashant Joshi et al. (2013) stated that there was complete lack of knowledge and awareness not only regarding cervical cancer but also other aspects of women health among the population collaboration between the public & private sector might be helpful in setting up early detection and primary prevention   symptoms. Incentive based systems might prove useful to care private practitioners in reaching out and conducting regular screening for cervical cancer among women.1

 

Susan (2009) the study stated that additional risk factors of cervical cancer include multiple sexual partner, multiparity, sexual activity of an early age , smoking ,use of birth control pills and family history .these risk are more of behavior pattern. Recommendation to create awareness and education programs need to be implemented to target women about cervical cancer. And paps smear screening.2

 

Carcinoma of the cervix is the second most common cancer in women could wide while it is the commonest cancer among India women awareness regarding cervical cancer and its prevention is quite low among Gest  India women. The PAP test is a simple and cost effective technique for early diagnosis of cervical cancer. It is necessary to make nursing staff aware of cervical cancer.3

 

The study stated that knowledge  level and understanding of cancer as well as  its preventable nature should be improved consisting nurse education may strengthen cervical cancer screening programme Health care professional has to create awareness of disease can educate masses and increase health seeking behavior  women.

 

REFERENCES:

1.       International Journal of Recent Trends in Science and Technology. Volume 8 Issue 2 2013 pp113-118

2.       Susan .M.( 2009 ) FIJI  School of Medicine

3.       E cancer 6 270/Do 110; 3332/ecancer 2012.770

 

Received on 09.06.2015                                   Modified on 29.06.2015

Accepted on 18.07.2015                         © A&V Publication all right reserved

Asian J. Nur. Edu. and Research 5(3): July- Sept.2015; Page 307-310

DOI: 10.5958/2349-2996.2015.00062.2