Knowledge, Awareness and Prevention of Cervical Cancer among Women Attending a Tertiary Care Hospital in Puducherry, India

BACKGROUND: Cervical cancer is one of the most common cancers among women worldwide, with highest mortality in India. The incidence and mortality of cervical cancer can be reduced by screening women for precancerous lesion and by administration of human papilloma virus vaccine to adolescent girls. Knowledge of the women about cervical cancer and awareness about its prevention are the key factors that determine their utilization of screening services. METHODS: A cross sectional survey of women attending Gynaecology Out-Patient Department (OPD) in a tertiary care hospital in Puducherry was conducted. Information about their knowledge of cervical cancer, awareness of its prevention and their socio demographic characters were collected. RESULTS: Mean age of the study population was 40.45 ± 12 years. Less than half of the study population (178, 44.5%) knew about cervical cancer. Less than one-fourth of the population knew about screening services for prevention of cervical cancer, and majority (389, 97.2%) were not aware of vaccination as prevention for cervical cancer. CONCLUSION: Our study population shows poor knowledge about cervical cancer and is unaware of the concept of prevention. Hence extensive health education to the public is needed regarding cervical cancer and its prevention.