Awareness of Women Towards Risk Factors, Screening Practices and Preventive Behaviors of Cervical Cancer

Abstract

Background: Cervical cancer is the third most common disease in women worldwide and is a type of cancer that develops in the cells of the cervix. Aim of the study: was to assess awareness of women towards risk factors, screening practices and preventive behaviors of cervical cancer. Subjects and Method: Research design: Descriptive design was adopted to carry out this study. Setting: The study was conducted at gynecological outpatient clinic at the Zagazig University Hospital. Subjects: Purposive sample of 263 women were recruited in this study. Tools of data collection: Two tools were used for data collection. Toll I: A structured interviewing questionnaire and Toll II: African Women's awareness assessment tool about cervical cancer. Results: It was indicated that, almost one third of studied women had good awareness level towards risk factors & screening practices of cervical cancer, while almost one fourth of them had good awareness regarding preventive measures and treatment of cervical cancer. Additionally, it reflected a positive a highly significant relation between level of education, occupation, residence and awareness of cervical cancer. Also, there was a highly significant positive correlation between cervical cancer awareness and its domains. Moreover; the highest percent of studied women who had good awareness were university educated, working and from urban areas. It was observed that occupation, educational level and residence had highly significant positive effect on awareness level regarding cervical cancer. Conclusion: On the light of the results of the current study it was concluded that; there was a poor total score of women awareness regarding risk factors, screening practices and preventive behaviors of cervical cancer. Recommendations: Health-education programs that incorporate the media through diverse channels should be implemented to increase women's awareness regarding cervical cancer.