Open AccessAwareness, screening, Practices and attitudes of cervical cancer among doctors and nursing staff working at a tertiary care center
Author(s) -
Erum Majid,
Majid Ahmed Shaikh,
Osama Ahmed Qazi,
Saba Khan,
Irfan Majeed,
Khadija Bano
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
journal of the pakistan medical association
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.242
H-Index - 43
ISSN - 0030-9982
DOI - 10.47391/jpma.1443
Subject(s) - medicine , cervical cancer , family medicine , cervix , sexual intercourse , test (biology) , cross sectional study , health care , cervical cancer screening , gynecology , nursing , cancer , population , environmental health , paleontology , economics , biology , economic growth , pathology
Objectives: To assess knowledge, attitude and practice of medical and paramedical staff about cervical cancer as well as its screening and prevention.Methods: The descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at the Jinnah Post-graduate Medical Centre, Karachi, from March 1 to August 30, 2019, and comprised women medical and paramedical staff randomly selected from different specialties. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire. Data was analysed using SPSS 20.Results: Of the 347 participants 144(41.5%) were nurses and 203(58.5%) were doctors. The overall mean age was 26.22±6.38 years. Of the total, 108(30%) respondents were married and 239(68%) were single. Overall, 239(68.8%) were well aware of Pap smear being the screening test; 85(24.5%) were aware of the true guidelines to repeat the test; 152(43.8%) had an idea of the exact use of visual Inspection with acetic acid; 61(17.6%) had got a Pap smear done; and 156(45%) thought they were at risk of developing carcinoma cervix. The common risk factors identified were multiple sexual partners 254(73.2%), age at first sexual intercourse 160(46%), smoking 131(37.8%), foul-smelling discharge 221(63.7%), and post-coital bleeding 231(66.6%).Conclusion: Cervical cancer prevalence is rising due to inadequate knowledge and awareness among healthcare personals. Improvement can be brought by regular use of Pap smear.Key Words: Cervical cancer, Pap smear, Healthcare professionals, Visual inspection with acetic acid.