Knowledge & Health Beliefs toward Cervical Cancer Screening & Prevention among Libyan females attending Gynaecology & Obstetric out-patient clinic at Tripoli Medical Centre (2010)
| Main Author: | Fozia Kemishi |
|---|---|
| Format: | Proceeding eJournal |
| Terbitan: |
, 2020
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: |
https://zenodo.org/record/4135172 |
Daftar Isi:
- Background: Cancer cervix is highly preventable disease through screening. Aims: to explore knowledge, attitude and practices of Libyan women toward cervical cancer screening and prevention. Methods: A sample of 316 patients was chosen randomly from patients attending the Gynae-obstetric out-patient clinic in TMC .survey was conducted via a self-administered and anonymous questionnaire which was of closed ended questions, and included: socio-demographic data , general knowledge about cervical cancer and Pap smear tests, reasons of having / not having a smear test in the past, awareness of HPV vaccine as a preventive tool and willing to receive the vaccine if it would become available. Data was analysed using SPSS (version11). Results: 59.2% of women were aware of Pap smear. Regarding the risk factors, women were aware about were: HPV in 50%, multiple sexual partners in 54%, illegitimate sexual relations in 51%, the use of OCP for more than five years in 65%, and smoking in 86%. 75.9% of participants knew that Pap smear can diagnose cervical precancerous lesions and 91.1% of them believed that cancer cervix is curable if diagnosed early. Regarding cervical cancer screening status: only 6% were screened. 57.9% had PAP smear advised by doctors while 42.1% had it because of cervical pathology. Regarding HPV vaccine only 28.2% are aware of it while 87% of women are willing to receive it. Conclusion: The current situation in Libya, based on opportunistic screening is not effective in reaching the majority of the population. Awareness of and willing to receive HPV vaccine is very low.