Risk Factors, Health-Seeking Behavior, Attitudes, and Knowledge Regarding Cervical Carcinoma Among Rural Women in Bangladesh

Abstract

Background: Cervical cancer poses a significant health burden in Bangladesh, where it ranks as the second most common cancer among women. Factors contributing to this include inadequate healthcare infrastructure, high prevalence of risk factors such as early marriage and limited access to screening programs. Objective: This study aimed to assess risk factors, health-seeking behavior, attitudes, and knowledge regarding cervical carcinoma among rural women in Soyadhangora Village, Sirajganj District, Bangladesh. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from January to June 2022. A sample of 150 rural women aged 20 years and above was selected using multistage random sampling. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire covering demographic information, knowledge about cervical cancer, attitudes towards screening, health-seeking behaviors, and risk factors. Descriptive statistics including frequencies and percentages were used to analyze the data. Results: Among the participants, 60% had heard of cervical cancer, but only 46.7% were aware of its risk factors. Despite awareness, only 40.0% expressed willingness to undergo screening. The majority (80.0%) were married before the age of 18, and 53.3% had poor personal hygiene practices. Financial barriers were reported by 66.7% of low-income women as a deterrent to screening. Conclusion: The study highlights gaps in knowledge, low screening uptake, and significant socio-economic barriers among rural women in Bangladesh regarding cervical cancer. Effective interventions targeting education, awareness, and accessibility to screening services are critical to mitigate the impact of cervical cancer in this population.