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Background: Knowledge regarding the screening test (Pap smear) among women has been proven to be a significant predictor of first-time screening and in turn helps in early diagnosis and treatment of the disease. Hence this study was conducted to assess the knowledge and practice of pap smear screening test for cervical cancer among the women attending the outpatient department of obstetrics and gynecology.Methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted by the department of obstetrics and gynecology, at Sri Muthukumaran Medical College Hospital and Research Institute, among the women attending the outpatient department, during the month of August 2019. A total of 180 participants were included in the study. Data was entered in Microsoft excel and data analysis was done using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 17.Results: Knowledge about carcinoma cervix and pap smear were present among 86.7% and 74.4% of participants, respectively. About the practice of pap smear, only 24.4% of the study participant have undergone the screening test and only two participants had taken the HPV vaccine.Conclusions: Most of the women had poor attitude and practice related to screening and vaccination for cervical cancer. But their attitude is favorable for screening. Hence promotion of free regular health check-up and vaccination for cervical cancer among general population might increase the awareness and decrease the disease burden.
RESUMEN
Background: Maternal mortality rate and Infant mortality rate remains high in India when compared to several other countries. Understanding and being aware about the basic care provided during pregnancy is an important factor to make the pregnant woman to utilize the antenatal care. Hence this study was planned to assess the existing knowledge of primi gravid mothers attending the tertiary health care center about the various antenatal care services provided.Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among the primi gravid females attending the outpatient department of Obstetrics and Gynecology in Sri Muthukumaran Medical College Hospital and Research Institute, Chennai during months of June 2018 to May 2019. A total of 280 primi gravid mothers were included in the study. Data was collected through one to one interview and analyzed using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 17.Results: In this study 82.9%, 70.4%, 80.7% of the mothers were aware about consumption of IFA tablets, TT injection and adequate ANC visits, respectively. PNDT act was known to 76.1% of the participants. Only 12.5% of the primi mothers were aware about Janani Suraksha Yojna (JSY) scheme and 91.8% of the mothers were aware about Dr. Muthulakshmi Maternity Benefit scheme.Conclusions: Knowledge about ANC services was found to be fair among the primi mothers but not sufficient, which shows the need for the healthcare professionals to educate young woman even from adolescent age itself.