Study Of Awareness And knowledge Of Pap Smear As A Screening Test For Cervical Cancer

Abstract

Background: Cancer is a leading cause of death in females in age group of 35–65 years. Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in females worldwide. The primary cause of this cancer is infection with humanpapillomavirus.Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a DNA virus that pass through skin-to-skin contact and sexual intercourse. Objective: The aim of this study is to assess the awareness about Pap smear and clinical utility. Material and method: This clinical study was carried out to assess the awareness about Pap smear, to identify their attitude towards Pap smear and to assess specificity of Pap smear for detection of cervical cancer in the Department Of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Muzaffarnagar Medical College, Muzaffarnagar. The total sample size was determined to be 500 subjects. Questionnaire survey was done from OPD patients of obstetrics and gynaecology Department, healthcare workers (paramedics and others ) of reproductive age group working in the institute at muzaffarnagar medical college and hospital, muzaffarnagar.Women who were already undergone Pap smear at least once were encouraged to get it done again if she is under that time duration, while remaining women were encouraged to undergo Pap smear test. Results: Six months data (September-February) 2019-2020 were collected. Out of 500 participants 208 participants were aware of cervical cancer and 120 participants were aware of Pap smear. Among 500 participants 413 underwent Pap smear. In our study, 24 % (120/500) of participants are aware of Pap smear out of which 86.66 % (104/120) say it is for early detection of cervical cancer. Time interval to repeat Pap smear in every 3 years is said by 45 % (54/120) and best timing to do the test is 10th to 20th days of menstrual cycle said by 35% (42/120). However, scoring of knowledge suggests only 19.16 % (23/120) is having adequate knowledge, i.e. they have given correct answer to all the three questions. Conclusion: Knowledge about Pap smear and cervical cancer was important in predicting Pap test doing. In addition, inadequate knowledge was introduced as the most important barrier to screening test from the perspective of women. The Pap test has fairly good specificity in detection of cervical pathology in asymptomatic women.