Inadequate awareness of cervical cancer and its prevention among young women of Delhi, India: public health policy implications.
HPV
cervical cancer
policy
public health
young women
Journal
International journal of adolescent medicine and health
ISSN: 2191-0278
Titre abrégé: Int J Adolesc Med Health
Pays: Germany
ID NLM: 8506960
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
01 May 2020
01 May 2020
Historique:
received:
13
05
2019
accepted:
20
06
2019
pubmed:
1
5
2020
medline:
1
5
2020
entrez:
1
5
2020
Statut:
epublish
Résumé
The increasing burden of cancer is a cause of concern worldwide including in India. Cervical cancer is amongst the most common cancers among women associated with high morbidity and mortality. Younger women are at risk of acquiring human papilloma virus (HPV) infection that can lead to cervical cancer later in life. The present study is an attempt to assess awareness about cervical cancer, its prevention and HPV among young women so that future policies can be designed accordingly. This was a cross-sectional study conducted among college-going women students of Delhi. Data was collected using a pre-designed, pretested semi-structured tool followed by descriptive statistical analysis. Although 83% women students had heard of cervical cancer, the signs and symptoms were known to less than half (41.9%) of the students. HPV vaccine availability was known to 56.0% of the students, but very few students were vaccinated (15.0%). Similar disparity was also found in screening knowledge and practices. With poor knowledge about risk factors, and preventive strategies among young women, this study highlights the need for health education programmes related to cervical cancer targeting young women. As most of the risk factors of cervical cancer are modifiable, awareness generation at a young age could bring about a paradigm shift in incidence and the mortality associated with it.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
BACKGROUND
The increasing burden of cancer is a cause of concern worldwide including in India. Cervical cancer is amongst the most common cancers among women associated with high morbidity and mortality. Younger women are at risk of acquiring human papilloma virus (HPV) infection that can lead to cervical cancer later in life. The present study is an attempt to assess awareness about cervical cancer, its prevention and HPV among young women so that future policies can be designed accordingly.
METHODOLOGY
METHODS
This was a cross-sectional study conducted among college-going women students of Delhi. Data was collected using a pre-designed, pretested semi-structured tool followed by descriptive statistical analysis.
RESULTS
RESULTS
Although 83% women students had heard of cervical cancer, the signs and symptoms were known to less than half (41.9%) of the students. HPV vaccine availability was known to 56.0% of the students, but very few students were vaccinated (15.0%). Similar disparity was also found in screening knowledge and practices.
CONCLUSION
CONCLUSIONS
With poor knowledge about risk factors, and preventive strategies among young women, this study highlights the need for health education programmes related to cervical cancer targeting young women. As most of the risk factors of cervical cancer are modifiable, awareness generation at a young age could bring about a paradigm shift in incidence and the mortality associated with it.
Identifiants
pubmed: 32352403
doi: 10.1515/ijamh-2019-0108
pii: ijamh-2019-0108
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Informations de copyright
© 2020 Walter de Gruyter GmbH, Berlin/Boston.
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