Knowledge and awareness of cervical cancer, its screening and HPV vaccination among out patients in a tertiary care institute in India

ABSTRACT

Background: Cervical cancer, despite being a preventable disease, its screening and vaccination still remains poor in our country. The aim of our study was to assess the knowledge and awareness regarding cervical cancer, its risk factors, screening and HPV vaccination.Methods: This cross sectional study was carried out among outpatients attending gynaecology OPD in GEM hospital and Research Centre, a tertiary care centre in Tamil Nadu during the period of April 2019 to June 2019. A total of 500 women, aged 16 years and above were analyzed using a structured questionnaire with multiple choices regarding socio demographic profile, knowledge and awareness about the cervical cancer, its risk factors, screening method and HPV vaccination.Results: Only 16.6% knew that cervical cancer is the most common cancer in Indian women. Majority (74.6%) of them were married, of which 36.2% were aware of Pap smear. Of those who were aware, only one third (12.6%) had their Pap smear done. The awareness of HPV vaccination was only 25% and 3.4% of them were vaccinated. 70.2% of the study participants were willing to be vaccinated after knowing about the vaccination.Conclusions: This study serves to highlight that, the majority of women lack knowledge and awareness concerning cervical cancer and its preventive aspects. This is a major hindrance among Indian women to undergo early screening and timely prevention. Hence creating public awareness of cervical cancer and its prevention is still a priority.