Awareness about cervical cancers among health workers in Shimla district, Himachal Pradesh, India

Background: Cervical cancer, although largely preventable, remains the most common cause of cancer mortality among women in low-resource countries. Aim of this study was to assess knowledge and awareness of cervical cancer prevention among health workers in Shimla district, Himachal Pradesh.Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted among multipurpose health care workers (both males and females) in Shimla district, Himachal Pradesh. A self-administered close ended questionnaire was used. The questionnaire, consisted of two parts. The first part comprised of questions relating to demographic data and the second part had questions on knowledge about cervical cancers. The data was analyzed using the statistical analysis program SPSS version 16.0. Tests used were Chi square, t test and ANOVA. A p-values <0.05 were considered statistically significant.Results: Out of 122 subjects, there were 45 (36.9%) males and 77 (63.1%) females. The mean knowledge percent of the population was 55.9+16.4. Among the age groups it was highest for the age group of 21-30 years (62.5+23.6) and lowest for the age group of 51-60 years (53.6+16.4). Knowledge about risk factors was correctly reported by 44.3% of population. Who should be screened for cervical cancers was reported correctly by 29.5% and at what interval screening should be done was reported by 14.8%.Conclusions: Half of the population had moderate overall knowledge about cervical cancers, but the knowledge about risk factors and screening eligibility and screening interval was inadequate. So, education programs should be arranged for the health workers in order to prevent cervical cancers