Publication:

A community-based study on the sociodemographic factors and knowledge regarding cervical cancer among women residing in an urban slum of Patna district

Background Carcinoma of the uterine cervix is a major health problem faced by the Indian women. Every year approximately 120000 women develop this disease. India accounts for 15.2% percent of the total cervical cancer deaths globally. Objective to assess the sociodemographic factors and knowledge regarding cervical cancer and associated risk factors among women of age group 20-60 years.

Methods A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among women aged 20-60 years residing in the urban field practice area attached to the department of community medicine of a tertiary care centre from June 2018 to May 2019 that is for a span of 12 months. The survey included demographic data such as age, education level, occupation, religion, socioeconomic status, parity, age of marriage, age at birth of first child.

Results In the present study about 60% of the female had knowledge that menstrual abnormality is also a risk factor for cancer cervix. Only 60% of the female in our study reported that early marriage is also a risk factor for cancer cervix. A lower (30%) percent of the female in our study had knowledge that vaginal discharge is also a risk factor for cancer cervix.

Conclusions The present study aimed to assess the socio-demographic factors and knowledge regarding cervical cancer among women of age group 20-60 years residing in an urban slum of Patna district. With prior knowledge of risk factors, cervical cancer can be identified. Identification of high‑risk populations and starting early screening was found to be effective in early recognition of cervical cancer.