Saving lives: Assessing knowledge and awareness of cervical cancer among women in low income families in Clark County, Nevada

Studies have reported low participation in cervical cancer screening of low-income women, but few of them have addressed lack of knowledge on cervical cancer. The goal of this study is to assess knowledge and awareness of cervical cancer among women in low-income families in Clark County, NV. Fifty women in low-income families who were English-speaking and were enrolled in the WIC program were interviewed. Questions addressed were: knowledge on cervical cancer, Pap smears practices, insurance coverage, and knowledge about free/low-cost Pap tests in the state. The Majority of women were minorities (74%) and the mean age was 25.3 (SD=6.44). Seventy-six percent of women had less than a high school education or higher. Only 58% of women had heard about cervical cancer. Overall, women knew little about the associated risk factors for cervical cancer, the HPV virus, or the availability of the States\u27 resources for cervical cancer screening. Knowledge of cervical cancer on each of the mentioned areas may enable Clark County to reduce incidence and death rates from cervical cancer