Premenopausal Women’s Awareness and Barriers Regarding Cervical Cancer and its Screening

Abstract

Background: Cervical cancer is the most common malignant tumor in women around the world. It is the most prevalent cancer in women in Egypt, accounting for 18.9 percent of total cases of cancer. Screening is one of the most effective tools for early diagnosis, prevention and treatment. The aim of this study was to determines the level of premenopausal women ' s awareness and barriers regarding cervical cancer and it's screening. Research Design: A descriptive cross sectional study. Subject: Convenience Sample (235) of premenopausal women attended inpatient department and outpatient clinic for obstetrics and gynecological diseases at Minia University maternity and children hospital were included in this study. Tools of data collection: consisted of three tools, Interviewing assessment tool It encompassed three main parts: (women' socio-demographic characteristics, obstetrical and family history, women' knowledge), attitude assessment tool and womenʼs screening barriers for cervical cancer assessment tool. Results: This study revealed that 83.% of the studied women had inadequate knowledge levels toward cervical cancer and it's screening, around two thirds of the studied women had a negative attitude toward cervical cancer screening and the most common women's barriers to participation in cervical cancer screening were fear of vaginal examinations, fear of the result, do not know where the test is done, absence of symptoms for cervical cancer. Recommendation: Improve awareness through regular health education and using mass media which has an important role in improving the women knowledge and attitudes towards cervical cancer and it ̕s screening and there is need to implement regular cervical screening practice at national level.