A Study on Knowledge and Awareness of Cervical Cancer Among Females of Rural and Urban Areas of Haryana, North India

Abstract

Lack of awareness of screening methods, risk factors, and symptoms may lead to late diagnosis and poor prognosis of cervical cancer. The plan of this study was to assess the level of awareness about cervical cancer and HPV vaccine among females of rural and urban areas of Haryana, India. This cross-sectional study was performed using a comprehensive self-designed questionnaire on 1500 women of urban (700) and rural (800) background aged 18-65 years, evaluating their knowledge for cervical cancer and screening, HPV infection and its preventive measure, and symptoms and risk factors. Data obtained was analyzed and interpreted by using simple percentages and bar charts. Most of the participants were aged between 21 and 30 years and had college level education. Majority of the women from rural areas had poor knowledge about cervical cancer (55%) and its screening (75%), HPV infection (87.5%), and HPV vaccine (95%) compared with urban areas. Knowledge about symptoms and risk factors was very low in both rural and urban areas. Whatever little knowledge the women had about cervical cancer was from college education, friends, neighbors, relatives, and medical practitioner or doctors. The survey pointed to the critical need to educate women about cervical cancer and its early diagnosis, related risk factors, symptoms, and preventive measures which can be achieved by launching extensive awareness programs for educating females about cervical cancer in India.