Level of Knowledge on Cervical Cancer, Cervical Screening and Its Determinants Among Ministry of Health PHC Physicians in Makkah Al- Mukarramah 2016, Cross- Sectional Study.

Abstract

Objectives:To estimates the level of knowledge of cervical cancer, cervical screening and to identify their determinants among MOH PHC physicians in Makkah Al-Mokarramah city 2016. Subjects and methods: A cross-sectional study was done among physicians working at Ministry of health primary health care centers, Makkah AL-Mokarramah A validated self-created self-administered questionnaire was used for data collection including (sociodemographic and physicians' knowledge about cervical cancer and its screening guidelines). Results:The study included 137 physicians, with a mean age 39.7 ± 8.8 years. Almost half of participants (46.7%) were males, 43.1% were Saudi, 36.5% of PHCCs were JCI/CBAHI-accredited. Most participants (89.1%) heard about Pap smear testing, while only 36.5% had an MOH-protocol for cervical cancer screening, 33.6% ask asymptomatic female patients about screening for cancer cervix, 14.6% always refer female patients for screening for cancer cervix, 49.6% read about cervical screening guidelines last year, 26.3% attended CME on cervical cancer and its screening last year. The most frequent correctly answered statements by PHC physicians about cancer cervix were related to cervical cancer is preventable (78.8%) and history of sexually transmitted infections as a high-risk factor for cervical cancer (73.7%). Overall, 31.4% of the physicians were knowledgeable regarding cancer cervix and its screening guidelines. Conclusion:The overall knowledge of PHC physicians working at MOH inside Makkah AL-Mokarramah was suboptimal regarding cervical cancer and its screening guidelines. PHC physicians should be encouraged toward regularly attending CME courses/workshops on prevention and management of cancer cervix.