Knowledge Regarding Cervix Carcinoma, Its Screening and Prevention Among Women Attending Gynecology OPD

Abstract

Objective: To assess the knowledge of cervical cancer, its prevention, and screening among
women attending gynecology outpatient departments (OPD) in Pakistan.
Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted Dept of obs and gynae DHQ
hospital affiliated with Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Shaheed Medical College Mirpur AJK from
October 2018 April 2019. A total of 90 women, aged 25-65 years, attending the gynecology
OPD were included. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire focusing on
participants' knowledge of cervical cancer, its prevention, and screening. Knowledge levels
were categorized as poor, fair, or good based on a 15-point scoring system. Data were analyzed
using SPSS version 23.0.
Results: The mean age of participants was 47.0±9.21 years, with 62.2% belonging to lower
socioeconomic status, and 96.7% were married. The majority (71.1%) had poor knowledge of
cervical cancer, 27.8% had fair knowledge, and only 1.1% demonstrated good knowledge.
There were no significant associations between knowledge levels and age, socioeconomic
status, or educational status (p > 0.05).
Conclusion: The study highlights a considerable lack of awareness about cervical cancer, its
prevention, and screening among women attending the gynecology OPD. The absence of
significant associations between knowledge and demographic factors suggests a pervasive lack
of understanding across all groups. Public health strategies, including educational campaigns
and enhanced access to screening services, are crucial to reducing the cervical cancer burden
in low-resource settings like Pakistan.