Cervical Cancer Awareness among Women Visiting a Tertiary Care Hospital in Bangladesh

Open Access

Abstract

Background: Cervical cancer is a major public health issue in Bangladesh. Limited awareness among women leads to late diagnoses and poor outcomes. This study aims to assess the cervical cancer knowledge, attitudes, and awareness among women at a tertiary hospital to support improved cancer control in Bangladesh. Methods and materials: This cross-sectional study took place over six months, from July 2022 to December 2022, at the Institute of Child and Mother Health. A total of 99 women aged 20 to 50 were enrolled using convenience sampling. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews with a semi-structured questionnaire. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS version 25.0. Results: Out of the 99 participants, 71.7% (n=71) were aware of cervical cancer. The average age was 29.78±6.96 years, and 74.7% were in the 20-30 age group. Most participants were housewives (67.7%) from rural areas (62.6%) and had primary education (42.4%). Among those who were aware, 71.8% recognized vaginal bleeding as a symptom, 90.1% knew about Pap smears, and 76.1% were familiar with VIA testing. However, only 39.4% identified HPV as a risk factor. Educational background showed a significant link with awareness levels (p=0.01). Most awareness levels were average (59.2%) or poor (21.1%). Conclusion: Although there is some basic awareness, there are significant gaps in knowledge about risk factors, especially HPV infection, and preventive measures. Educational programs aimed at rural, less-educated women are crucial to improve awareness of cervical cancer and the uptake of screening in Bangladesh.