<p>Knowledge of Cervical Cancer and Associated Factors Among Women Attending Public Health Facilities in Eastern Ethiopia</p>

Abstract

This study was done to assess women's knowledge of cervical cancer and associated factors. Materials and Methods: We conducted a facility-based cross-sectional study in eastern Ethiopia from January 1 to May 30, 2019. A convenient sampling technique was used to include 1181 women in this study. Information on socio-demographic characteristics, sexual history, knowledge and awareness of women was collected using face-to-face interview. The data were cleaned, coded and entered into EPI-info version 3.5.4 and then exported to Statistical Package for Social Science version 23.0 software for analysis. The associations between independent variables and outcome variables were assessed using bivariate and multivariable logistic regressions. The results of these analyses were reported as odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals. We declared statistically significant variables at a p-value less than 0.05. Results: Nearly half (574, 48.6%) of the participants have ever heard about cervical cancer. One hundred and thirty-nine (24.2%) of them did not know any of the risk factors. The majority of them mentioned bleeding after intercourse (329, 57.4%) as a symptom of the disease. Overall knowledge assessment revealed that 288 (55.7%) participants had adequate knowledge about cervical cancer. Participants' age in the range of 40-49 years (AOR: 2.58, 95% CI 1.99-5.57), having educational level above 12th grade (AOR: 12.11, 95% CI 4.57-32.09) and receiving information about the disease from healthcare professionals (AOR: 2.72, 95% CI 1.69-4.37) were independently associated with adequate knowledge of cervical cancer. Conclusion: The knowledge of women towards cervical cancer in our study area was inadequate. The respondents' age, educational status and source of information were independently associated with study participants' knowledge of cervical cancer. Young women with no formal education should get special focus in prevention strategies and we also recommend regular and effective counselling, and education about cervical cancer at health institutions.

Chlamydia Trachomatis Infection: Their potential implication in the Etiology of Cervical Cancer

“…Seven diverse viruses have been connected to the growth of different types of human cancer, such as human papillomavirus, Epstein-Barr virus, human T-cell lymphotropic virus, hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, Merkel cell polyomavirus and Kaposi's sarcoma herpes virus. Although infection of human papilloma virus (HPV) is considered one of the most essential factor for the growth of cervical cancer [19] but various other factors also connected for the development of cervical cancer which include infection of C. trachomatis, early age at first coitus, premarital sexual and extramarital sexual activity, early age pregnancy, multiple sexual partners of the male and females, husbands, and uncircumcised sexual partners [20,21]. Though, the infection of HPV is generally transient but little percentage of females showed persistent infection which has connected with the development of cervical cancer.…”

Factors Associated with Pre- and Post-Educational Intervention Knowledge Levels of HPV and Cervical Cancer Among the Male and Female University Students, Northwest Ethiopia

“…Only 12.9% had base-level knowledge about vaginal bleeding after coitus could be a sign of cervical cancer, which is low compared to a study in India, 27%, 41 very low compared to different studies reported. 38,40 The baseline knowledge levels on vaginal bleeding between periods and foul-smelling vaginal discharge as a symptom of cervical cancer were lower than studies reported. 38,41 After menopause, vaginal bleeding may be an indication of cervical cancer.…”

“…This score is lower than a study done in Eastern Ethiopia, 24.2%. 40 At the base level, 25.7% of study participants knew that multiple sex partners could be a risk factor, which is higher than a study of 6%. 41 This difference in awareness could be due to awareness of HIV education received as a part of the curriculum.…”

“…It is high compared to a study in Nigeria, 22.6%; 39 however, it is very low compared to a study in Eastern Ethiopia that reported 50%. 40 This difference could be different in study settings and the age of the study participants. Only 12.9% had base-level knowledge about vaginal bleeding after coitus could be a sign of cervical cancer, which is low compared to a study in India, 27%, 41 very low compared to different studies reported.…”

“… 36 The overall knowledge of study participants was 54.23% after the intervention, compared with a study in Ethiopia, 55.7%. 40 …”