Preventive gynecology: attitude and practice among gynecologists of Central Kerala

Abstract

Background: Carcinoma breast and carcinoma cervix are leading causes for cancer deaths in India. However, they get detected only in late stages of the disease. Preventive measures and early detection of disease will decrease the burden from these cancers. We evaluated the strategies followed by practising gynaecologists of Central Kerala to reduce this burden.Methods: A survey was conducted among 270 practising gynaecologists of Central Kerala, using a questionnaire. This evaluated implementation of screening and preventive measures used by them for self-protection as well as for the women seeking their services. Their attitude regarding HPV vaccine as a preventive measure was also noted.Results: Pap smear was done by only 84(32.8%) out of 256 gynaecologists or their spouses. Routine Pap smear was recommended by 60.5% of private practitioners and 84% of government practitioners. Counselling regarding the HPV vaccine was offered to young women by 37.8% of gynaecologists only. Use of HPV vaccine for their daughters was also quite infrequent (24.1%).Conclusions: The utilization of existing preventive strategies and measures for early detection of premalignant and malignant lesions is far from optimum. There is a need to step up in service training and continuing medical education for health care personnel in this direction.