Introduction: Worldwide, the age-adjusted incidence of cervical cancer is approximately 18 cases per 100,000 women. In our country, the majority of women are diagnosed at an advanced stage, where the disease is often incurable and associated with a poor outcome. Objectives: The study aimed to explore perceptions and behaviours related to cervical cancer screening and HPV vaccination in a tertiary care setting. This was achieved through a survey conducted among patients attending outpatient services at our hospital. Methodology: This cross-sectional study, conducted in a hospital setting, employed a pre-validated, self-administered questionnaire distributed to the participants. The questionnaire collected data on sociodemographic and reproductive profiles, knowledge regarding cervical cancer and its risk factors, awareness of preventive strategies and attitudes and practices related to Pap smear screening and HPV vaccination. Participants completed the survey after giving informed consent. Upon completion, each participant was provided with an educational pamphlet on cervical cancer screening and HPV vaccination to enhance public awareness. Results: Out of 324 participants, 140 (43.2%) had heard of cervical cancer, and 225 (69.7%) demonstrated a favourable attitude towards cervical cancer vaccination. However, only 84 women (25.7%) were aware of its risk factors. Notably, a mere 15 individuals (0.04%) reported having received the cervical cancer vaccine. Conclusion: The findings reveal a considerable gap in awareness regarding cervical cancer and the screening of precancerous lesions among women, underscoring the pressing need for targeted strategies and programmes to strengthen cervical cancer prevention, particularly in low-resource settings. Bridging knowledge gaps and fostering educational initiatives are critical to combating cervical cancer in such contexts. The distribution of pamphlets aims to contribute to public awareness and prevention efforts.
Sharmila et al. (Thu,) studied this question.