Awareness, screening, Practices and attitudes of cervical cancer among doctors and nursing staff working at a tertiary care center

Authors

  • Erum Majid Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center, Karachi, Pakistan
  • Majid Ahmed Shaikh Department of Medicine, Dow University and Health Sciences, Civil Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan
  • Osama Ahmed Qazi Ziauddin Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan
  • Saba Khan Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center, Karachi, Pakistan
  • Irfan Majeed Indus Pharma, Karachi, Pakistan
  • Khadija Bano Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center, Karachi, Pakistan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47391/JPMA.1443

Abstract

Objectives: To assess knowledge, attitude and practice of medical and paramedical staff about cervical cancer as well as its screening and prevention.

Methods: The descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at the Jinnah Post-graduate Medical Centre, Karachi, from March 1 to August 30, 2019, and comprised women medical and paramedical staff randomly selected from different specialties. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire. Data was analysed using SPSS 20.

Results: Of the 347 participants 144(41.5%) were nurses and 203(58.5%) were doctors. The overall mean age was 26.22±6.38 years. Of the total, 108(30%) respondents were married and 239(68%) were single. Overall, 239(68.8%) were well aware of Pap smear being the screening test; 85(24.5%) were aware of the true guidelines to repeat the test; 152(43.8%) had an idea of the exact use of visual Inspection with acetic acid; 61(17.6%) had got a Pap smear done; and 156(45%) thought they were at risk of developing carcinoma cervix. The common risk factors identified were multiple sexual partners 254(73.2%), age at first sexual intercourse 160(46%), smoking 131(37.8%), foul-smelling discharge 221(63.7%), and post-coital bleeding 231(66.6%).

Conclusion: Cervical cancer prevalence is rising due to inadequate knowledge and awareness among healthcare personals. Improvement can be brought by regular use of Pap smear.

Key Words: Cervical cancer, Pap smear, Healthcare professionals, Visual inspection with acetic acid.

Published

2022-01-25

How to Cite

Erum Majid, Majid Ahmed Shaikh, Osama Ahmed Qazi, Saba Khan, Irfan Majeed, & Khadija Bano. (2022). Awareness, screening, Practices and attitudes of cervical cancer among doctors and nursing staff working at a tertiary care center. Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association, 72(6), 1025–1030. https://doi.org/10.47391/JPMA.1443

Issue

Section

Research Article