Agarwal Mukta, Sinha Sudwita, Singh Geetika, Singh Shruti, Ahmad Shamshad
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Patna, Patna, IND.
Department of Family and Community Medicine, Netaji Subhas Medical College and Hospital (NSMCH) Bihta, Patna, IND.
Cureus. 2022 Aug 31;14(8):e28641. doi: 10.7759/cureus.28641. eCollection 2022 Aug.
Background Cervical cancer continues to pose a heavy burden on developing countries like India. Early detection of precancerous lesions via Pap smear screening can greatly avert cervical cancer deaths. However, the uptake of cervical cancer screening is poor, and several barriers exist to adequately utilizing screening services. Knowledge of women's attitudes in the target community is essential for successfully implementing a cervical cancer screening program. Aim This study aimed to provide insight into the attitude and perceived barriers among highly educated women and determine the association between the sociodemographic characteristics and their attitude towards screening. Methods It was an online descriptive study using a questionnaire conducted among highly educated women. Sociodemographic details and the perceived gynecological morbidities were enquired upon. The attitude was measured on a 5-point Likert scale, while practice was assessed by response towards ever screened. Significant barriers to not undergoing cervical cancer screening and determinants of attitude towards screening were evaluated. Results A total of 150 women participated, with a mean age of 36.9+9.7 years. Most (85.33%) women were apparently asymptomatic. Overall, the majority (82.67%) of participants had a favorable attitude toward cervical cancer screening, but only 5.33% of women were ever screened in the past. A major impediment to adequate practice identified was that a Pap test is 'not required.' In addition, the women's age, marital status, and education were found to be significantly associated with women's attitudes towards screening. Conclusion The study revealed that educated women do possess a favorable attitude towards cervical cancer screening. However, a major gap is still a hindrance between women's perception and practice. This reiterates the need for a well-designed health educational program focusing on effective information, education, and communication (IEC) strategies and strengthening the national screening program by effectively incorporating it into the health system.
背景 宫颈癌继续给印度等发展中国家带来沉重负担。通过巴氏涂片筛查早期发现癌前病变可极大地避免宫颈癌死亡。然而，宫颈癌筛查的接受率很低，充分利用筛查服务存在若干障碍。了解目标社区女性的态度对于成功实施宫颈癌筛查计划至关重要。目的 本研究旨在深入了解受过高等教育女性的态度和感知到的障碍，并确定社会人口学特征与其对筛查态度之间的关联。方法 这是一项在线描述性研究，使用问卷对受过高等教育的女性进行调查。询问了社会人口学细节和感知到的妇科疾病。态度采用5分李克特量表进行测量，而实践情况通过对是否曾接受过筛查的回答来评估。评估了未进行宫颈癌筛查的重大障碍以及对筛查态度的决定因素。结果 共有150名女性参与，平均年龄为36.9±9.7岁。大多数（85.33%）女性明显无症状。总体而言，大多数（82.67%）参与者对宫颈癌筛查持积极态度，但过去只有5.33%的女性接受过筛查。确定的充分实践的一个主要障碍是“不需要”进行巴氏试验。此外，发现女性的年龄、婚姻状况和教育程度与她们对筛查的态度显著相关。结论 该研究表明，受过教育的女性确实对宫颈癌筛查持积极态度。然而，女性的认知与实践之间仍存在重大差距，这仍是一个障碍。这再次强调需要设计一个精心策划的健康教育计划，重点关注有效的信息、教育和沟通（IEC）策略，并通过将其有效纳入卫生系统来加强国家筛查计划。
