Knowledge, awareness and practice of cervical cancer screening among ever married rural women of Ganjam District, Odisha: a community based cross-sectional study

Background: India accounts for 25% of total deaths from cervical cancer. Screening for cervical cancer reduces mortality by early detection and treatment. So, a study was conducted among rural women of Ganjam district with the objective to know knowledge, attitude and practice of cervical screening among them.Methods: A community based cross sectional study was conducted from January to February 2019 among ever married women of more than 30 years of age residing in villages of Chhatrapur block of Ganjam district. Sample size was calculated to be 280 by formula Z2pq/l2. Multistage random sampling and PPS method were used to select participants. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect data and all data were analysed in SPSS.Results: Among 280 participants, though 70.7% had heard about cervical cancer, only 32.5% knew that there are tests for screening. Only 13.2% of participants said that Pap smear test was to be taken regularly. However, majority didn’t know who should undergo screening test and what age tests should be started. Main source of information for them was health worker (39%). Only 14.6% had any type of cervical screening in their lifetime. The main reason for not going for screening was ignorance (53.9%) followed by thinking tests are not needed unless any symptoms appearedConclusions: Proportion of participants with proper knowledge and awareness regarding cervical cancer screening was low which led to poor uptake of screening. So, awareness regarding cervical cancer screening should be increased. Health camps and education programs should be conducted regularly