Knowledge attitude and practice of women of age 15 -49 years Towards cervical cancer and its preventive measures in debre Markose town woreda east gojjam zone amhara region ethiopia

Abstract

Background: Worldwide, cervical cancer is the second-most-common type of cancer that strikes women – behind only breast cancer. Cervical cancer ranks as the 1st most frequent cancer among women in Ethiopia. Knowledge of the community about cervical cancer and its prevention strategies is of great importance in reducing morbidity and mortality rates of cervical cancer, since it affects programme acceptability, efficiency and effectiveness. Women need to understand the link between human papillomavirus (HPV) and cervical cancer in order to make appropriate, evidence-based choices among existing prevention strategies (Pap test and HPV vaccine). Assessment of the public's knowledge is a high priority for cervical cancer control. Objective: The objective of this study is to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice of women of age 15-49 years towards cervical cancer and its prevention measures in Debre Markose Town Woreda, East Gojjam Zone, Amhara Region, Ethiopia. Method: The study used a community-based cross-sectional study design that employed both quantitative and qualitative methods. A multi stage sampling technique was used in sampling the study participants for the quantitative part of the study. A total of 845 women of age 15-49 were included. And a total of 40 participants from different religions, age groups, income groups, marital status and educational status were selected using purposive sampling technique for FGD. A structured questionnaire was used to collect quantitative data. Qualitative data was collected by in depth discussion with the selected discussants using Guideline. The analysis results of participants’ demographics and baseline outcome variables were summarized using descriptive summary measures. The chi-square test, F-test and correlation analysis were used to test for differences between groups by socio demographic variables in knowledge and attitude scores. Binary logistic regression was carried out to find the significant predictor for the outcome variables. The qualitative portion of the study (FGD) was analyzed manually based on the recordings and notes taken during the study time. Before commencement of the study, Ethical approval from the research committee of college of Public Health and Medical science, Jimma University was obtained Results: A total of 821 participants with mean age of 30.9 (+ SD), SD = 6.16 years were recruited. Knowledge about cervical cancer and its prevention measures was low, with an average knowledge score of 0.67 (possible scores ranged from 0 to 10) and a mode of 0. Participants age (OR = 2.2, 95% CI = 1.28-3.65, P = 0 .004), educational status (OR = 2.3, 95% CI = 1.31- 4.05, P = 0 .004), marital status (OR = 3.4, 95% CI = 1.92-5.86, P < 0 .001), and monthly family income (OR = 3.0, 95% CI = 1.65-5.20, P < 0 .001) were predictor variables of cervical cancer related knowledge. The majority (70%) of participants were in favour of cervical cancer prevention measures, with median score 3.0. Conclusion and recommendation: Findings suggest low level of knowledge on cervical cancer and its risk factors and detection method among these women. Therefore, the findings indicate that there is a need to provide women with authoritative information on cervical cancer, HPV infection, Pap smear /screening/ tests and HPV vaccination to increase their understanding of why action needs to be taken to prevent the disease