Impact of health education on knowledge and attitude of school teachers regarding cervical cancer, HPV vaccine and cervical cancer screening
Prachi Renjhen, Asmita Kaundal, Akanksha Rathi, Vikas Kumar
Abstract
Background
Cervical cancer is one of the most preventable cancer yet it is the third most common Gynaecological cancer worldwide due to lack of knowledge of the risk factors, screening methods and preventive measures.
Aims
As teachers play a vital role in spreading awareness among community via educating the young minds. This study aims at assessing the knowledge of the school teachers regarding the risk factors, preventive measures, screening methods and HPV vaccination and the impact of health education on their attitude.
Methods
An interventional study where a semi-structured self-administered questionnaire was given to the participants and their knowledge and attitude pre and post health education session was assessed.
Results
In the study 85.5% of the participants were postgraduate and above yet only 5.5% of their family members were vaccinated for HPV. Only 36.4% had heard about HPV infection and 22.7% were aware of HPV Vaccine. Around 60.9% had heard about cervical cancer. Out of all 34.5% had heard about the screening for cervical cancer. 61.8% had never got the health checkups done and 85.5% had never got the Paps smear done. It was seen that the number of participants who scored more than 75% both knowledge (10% to 82.7%) as well as attitude (54.5% to 66.4%) increased significantly after health education session.
Conclusion
Increasing knowledge about the risk factors, early screening and adherence to preventive strategies can significantly minimize burden of morbidity and mortalities associated with cervical cancer.
Full Text:
Cervical cancer is one of the most preventable cancer yet it is the third most common Gynaecological cancer worldwide due to lack of knowledge of the risk factors, screening methods and preventive measures.
Aims
As teachers play a vital role in spreading awareness among community via educating the young minds. This study aims at assessing the knowledge of the school teachers regarding the risk factors, preventive measures, screening methods and HPV vaccination and the impact of health education on their attitude.
Methods
An interventional study where a semi-structured self-administered questionnaire was given to the participants and their knowledge and attitude pre and post health education session was assessed.
Results
In the study 85.5% of the participants were postgraduate and above yet only 5.5% of their family members were vaccinated for HPV. Only 36.4% had heard about HPV infection and 22.7% were aware of HPV Vaccine. Around 60.9% had heard about cervical cancer. Out of all 34.5% had heard about the screening for cervical cancer. 61.8% had never got the health checkups done and 85.5% had never got the Paps smear done. It was seen that the number of participants who scored more than 75% both knowledge (10% to 82.7%) as well as attitude (54.5% to 66.4%) increased significantly after health education session.
Conclusion
Increasing knowledge about the risk factors, early screening and adherence to preventive strategies can significantly minimize burden of morbidity and mortalities associated with cervical cancer.
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