Publication:

Awareness on cervical cancer, its screening and HPV vaccination among women of reproductive age group (15-49 years) in a tertiary care centre in Maharashtra

Background In India, cervical cancer is the second most common cause of cancer among females after breast cancer. Human papilloma virus is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections worldwide among both men and women and is found to be the most common cause of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) and cervical cancer in females. This study was undertaken to assess awareness of cervical cancer and its screening and vaccination among women of reproductive age group in a tertiary care centre in Maharashtra.

Methods This was an observational study with all patients who attended the gynaecology outpatient department of Rajiv Gandhi Medical College and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Hospital, Kalwa, Thane and included all women in the age group of 15-49 years during the study period September 2025-March 2026.

Results The majority of participants (25%) were aged between 26-30 years. Awareness about PAP smear testing was low, with 59% being unaware. Knowledge about cervical cancer risk factors was alarmingly low, with only 30% women not having awareness. HPV vaccine awareness was also limited, with 72% lacking awareness.

Conclusions In our study, the most common risk factors of cervical cancer known were poor genital hygiene, tobacco use, followed by uterine infections. In our study, 63 % were aware of signs and symptoms of cervical cancer.  Our study highlights an urgency to enhance women’s knowledge about HPV infection and cervical cancer. This can be effectively addressed via a multifaceted approach. Awareness campaigns using both print and electronic media should be used to disseminate accurate information to a wide audience, especially in underserved areas.