Assess the Knowledge, Practice and Perceived Barriers of Screening Among Non-Professional Working Women on Prevention of Cervical Cancer in a Tertiary Hospital

Reena Vincent *, Justy Joy **, Rasna Simon ***
*-*** Jubilee Mission College of Nursing, Thrissur.
Periodicity:November - January'2021
DOI : https://doi.org/10.26634/jnur.10.4.17411

Abstract

Background: More women in India die from cervical cancer than in any other country. Cervical cancer is a preventable disease which can be detected by regular screening tests and follow up. The aim of the study was to assess the knowledge, practice and perceived barriers of screening among non-professional working women on the prevention of cervical cancer. Methodology: A descriptive study was conducted among 60 non-professional working women. A convenience sampling technique was used to select the samples. A structured questionnaire was used to assess knowledge, practice and perceived barriers for screening cervical cancer. The data was analyzed by using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results and interpretation: The findings of socio-demographic and clinical data variables showed that 22 (36.7%) of the women were in the age group of 51 to 55 years, more than half 32 (53.3%) had high school education, the majority of the women 38 (63.3%) had family Income below Rs. 16000, the majority of women 42 (70%) were residents of an urban area, most of them 44 (73.3%) were married and the majority of the sample 44 (73.4%) had more than 15yrs of duration of marriage. Most of the samples 47 (78.3%) had inadequate level of knowledge, 11 (18.3%) had moderate level of knowledge and only 2 (3.3%) had adequate level of knowledge on the prevention of cervical cancer. Twenty three (38.3%) of the samples had an adequate level of practice, nearly half of the samples 29 (48.3%) had moderate level of practice and only 8 (13.3%) had inadequate level of practice on the prevention of cervical cancer. More than half 33 (55%) had responded the absence of symptoms which were considered perceived cognitive barriers, more than half of the women 35 (58%) had responded to the fear of finding cancer (the perceived emotional barriers) and the majority 46 (77%), had responded having financial problem (the perceived practical barrier) for screening of cervical cancer raised by the nonprofessional working women. There is no significant association between the level of knowledge and practice on prevention of cervical cancer with selected socio-demographic and clinical data variables. Conclusion: The study concludes that non-professional working women have lack of knowledge and practice regarding the prevention of cervical cancer. Perceived barriers (cognitive, emotional and practical) were the reason for lowering the screening rates of cervical cancer. This indicates that extensive education is needed to improve the knowledge and screening practice among non-professional women for early identification and prevention of cervical cancer.

Keywords

Knowledge, Cervical Cancer, Prevention, Perceived Barriers, Practice.

How to Cite this Article?

Vincent, R., Joy, J., and Simon, R. (2021). Assess the Knowledge, Practice and Perceived Barriers of Screening Among Non-Professional Working Women on Prevention of Cervical Cancer in a Tertiary Hospital. i-manager's Journal on Nursing, 10(4), 23-31. https://doi.org/10.26634/jnur.10.4.17411

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