Exploring knowledge and perception of cervical cancer and screening among young women
Abstract Background Cervical cancer is a significant public health concern, especially in low- and middle-income countries like India. Despite the availability of effective screening methods, the uptake of cervical cancer screening remains low, particularly among women in rural and underserved areas...
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| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Springer
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Discover Social Science and Health |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1007/s44155-025-00265-7 |
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| Summary: | Abstract Background Cervical cancer is a significant public health concern, especially in low- and middle-income countries like India. Despite the availability of effective screening methods, the uptake of cervical cancer screening remains low, particularly among women in rural and underserved areas. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of a health education intervention in improving the knowledge, perception, and uptake of cervical cancer screening among women in a tertiary care hospital setting. Methods A quasi-experimental, before-and-after study design was employed. The study was conducted at a tertiary care hospital in India, where participants were randomly assigned to either an intervention or control group. The intervention group received targeted health education on cervical cancer, including risk factors, symptoms, and the importance of screening, using multimedia resources. The control group received standard health education. Data were collected using pre- and post-intervention questionnaires to assess participants’ knowledge, perception, and willingness to undergo cervical cancer screening. Results A total of 700 women (350 in each group) participated in the study. Pre-intervention, both groups exhibited low levels of knowledge and poor perceptions about cervical cancer. Post-intervention, the intervention group showed significant improvements in knowledge (p < 0.05) and perception (p < 0.05) compared to the control group. The willingness to undergo cervical screening also increased in the intervention group (4%, p < 0.05), while there was no significant change in the control group. The most common barrier to cervical screening, identified by both groups, was lack of awareness about where to access screening services. Conclusion The study demonstrates that culturally appropriate, multimedia-based health education interventions can significantly improve women’s knowledge and perceptions of cervical cancer in a tertiary care hospital setting. However, barriers such as access to screening services and financial constraints need to be addressed to further enhance the uptake of cervical cancer screening in India. Future interventions should focus on increasing access to affordable screening services and further integrating education into healthcare programs. |
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| ISSN: | 2731-0469 |